The IATA Cargo Agency program has operated for many decades without significant alterations, despite compelling changes in the business relationship between cargo agents and airlines. Today, the traditional IATA Cargo Agent has transitioned from being a selling-agent of the airline to being a purchasing-customer.

In an effort to modernize the current Agency program, FIATA (representing international freight forwarders and logistic providers) and IATA (representing airlines) have joined forces to review, refine, and re-engineer the airline conference based program to one which would be jointly managed by airlines and forwarders. Major steps have been made and this collaboration has resulted in the development of a new joint IATA-FIATA Air Cargo Program, and significant strides in redefining airline and forwarder responsibilities.

The new proposed governance mechanism establishes an IATA-FIATA Governance Board, which recognizes the role played by forwarders in today’s marketplace as customers of the airlines, and increases consultations at all levels to achieve common air cargo goals, which are objectives for both FIATA and IATA. 

·       IFACP White Paper

Ø  Background

Ø  Benefits

Ø  Key highlight with major differences between the current and future program

Ø  Value Proposition

The IFACP White Paper outlining the above information was released and downloadable at:

http://fiata.com/fileadmin/user_upload/documents/IFACP_White_paper.pdf

·       IFACP FAQ

The FAQ is available at: http://www.iata.org/whatwedo/cargo/Documents/IFACP-FAQ-20160715.pdf

·       Phased Rollout Plan

The phased rollout of IFACP will begin in early 2017 with Canada as the pilot country. Other countries or regions, such as Europe and Latin America will follow. It is anticipated that full global rollout will be completed by end 2018.

Phased rollout plan as set out below: 

·       Impact on the current IATA Cargo Agents

Members please note that there is no immediate impact on the current IATA Cargo Agents as the current participants of the IATA Cargo Agency/Intermediary Program will be provided with a new IATA-FIATA Air Cargo Program Agreement when the program implementation process begins in Hong Kong. Upon execution and receipt of the completed Agreement, the Endorsed Freight Forwarder will join the new program. No further assessment will be required. New entrants shall be granted access to the IFACP in accordance with the program's rules, which are designed to be more reflective of how the air cargo business functions in today’s market.

·       APEC Services Trade Access Requirements (STAR) Database

·       A business-friendly, on-line tool to help services providers take advantage of new export opportunities in the 21 APEC member economies

The APEC Services Trade Access Requirements (STAR) Database provides an easy-to-use one-stop route to identify whether and how a company can compete in every one of the 21 APEC member economies. It helps to identify the requirements to trade with and invest in other APEC economies The STAR Database covers eight services sectors including distribution services and transport and logistics services. Users can quickly discover at ease the licences needed, tax rules, visa requirements, foreign exchange issues, incorporation requirements – and the restrictions that might be in place. To access the STAR Database, please click into the following hyperlink: http://www.servicestradeforum.org/SearchforRequirements.aspx