President’s Letter, August, 2014

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Hello, everyone.  Welcome to August.

It's been a mild summer so far, and if you're an electric utility you're likely upset because billings and usage are down, but as a consumer, it's been nice to have the windows open more days than not.   But kids going back to school later this month?  Where has the summer gone...my email has turned into everything outdoors now being on sale.  Do these retailers know something we don't?

The past few weeks have been a professionally busy summer for me.  Those of you who receive The Pallet saw that the return address has changed, and I've started my own company.  One of the first things that I did was to join this great organization because it's something that I believe in and am committed to as your President and someone who has served for years as a board member.  As we move into the fall, IACAC is only going to continue on its ascendancy and that is because of the great board that you elected and the involvement of you, our membership.

Golfing?  I am.

It's in a week and a half; you'd better have signed up.  The Early Bird Discount for foursomes expired at midnight, so if you're booking for four, the price is now $500.00.  Pricing for single golfers remains at $125.00 and if you're only able to join us for lunch, it's $35.00.  Only lunch?  Did I really say that?  It's not only lunch; it's a chance to win one of many amazing prizes that our sponsors have been kind enough to donate that benefit the Dennis J. Speck Scholarship Fund.

Our three "featured" raffle prizes that we have right now (and a serious THANK YOU to all of these fine people are):

Southwest Airlines - 2 Roundtrip Tickets

LAN - 2 Roundtrip Tickets

Holiday Inn Elk Grove Village - A night's stay and a gift card for dinner in their restaurant

This event isn't possible without you to play or contribute to a worthy cause.  Don't miss it.  JOIN US TODAY

Timely News

Be sure to check out The Pallet (or our Facebook feed) for links to two stories involving air cargo.  The first is the decision regarding the transport of lithium batteries - the final rule will be published in the coming days and we've got a link to the text.  The second is that Customs is continuing the ACAS pilot for another year and has re-opened it for sixty days (less, now) for companies to apply to participate.  We thank the Airforwarders Association for sharing this information with us, and we are sharing with you.

New Sponsor - AirBridge Cargo

We thank AirBridge for their sponsorship of IACAC.  Their most recent financial results were positive and they have been adding flights, including a freighter ex-DFW that we are promoting here on the site.  AirBridge Transparent LogoIf your company is interested in becoming a sponsor of IACAC or a corporate partner that is willing to offer benefits to our membership, please contact me directly to discuss this opportunity.

 

ICAO agrees to prohibit lithium metal batteries on passenger flights.

With thanks to Brandon Fried and the Airforwarders Association, please find below a report about lithium metal batteries carried on aircraft.

Provided by the Dangerous Goods Advisory Council, a meeting took place in Montreal to seek harmony in the rules that ban bulk shipments of lithium metal batteries in the United States, but permit them internationally.Lithium Metal Battery

 

The DGP agreed to adopt a prohibition of lithium metal batteries carried as cargo on passenger aircraft, but this does not include:

  • those packed with or contained in equipment, or
  • those carried by passengers in the cabin of the aircraft.

The report of the meeting should be available on the ICAO website sometime this week.  This decision is expected to be approved by the DGP's parent committee, the Air Navigation  Commission (ANC) at its scheduled meeting later this month.  Please note, the ANC may adopt the DGP's decision but has within its prerogative, the option of amending/extending it.  The actual text of the decision, including associated consequential amendments, can be expected towards the end of May.

Some key points to consider:

Will there be an approvals process, that is, will Special Provision A1 be applied?   The Panel voted to apply A1, but only by a simple majority and it was clear that this is one area where the ANC may adopt the stricter criteria of the Exemptions process.  My recommendation is that industry should look at the implications of these two options very carefully.

Second, the effective date was discussed, albeit very briefly.  Industry made the observation that this represents a substantial change and as yet no text of the requirements is available, therefore, a considerable transition period would be required.  As discussed, the effective date would be January 1, 2015, but this date could be moved up or pushed back depending on the discussion and decisions of the ANC.