AfA urges US Department of Transportation to focus on air cargo in Cuba

The Airforwarders Association (AfA) has urged the US Department of Transportation to consider cargo more seriously when accepting applications for passenger services to Cuba.

The Department of Transportation has accepted applications from eight U.S. air carriers. However, only five of these carriers—Delta Airlines, American Airlines, United Airlines, Southwest Airlines and Alaska Airlines—operate as air cargo carriers as well as passenger aircraft.

The AfA, which represents 360 companies and over 300,000 employees, wants the Department to emphasise the importance of trade as well as passengers, and look less favourably on carriers that cannot fulfill both duties.

According to the AfA, air cargo and experienced air cargo handlers are needed to help overcome Cuba’s current economic and infrastructural limitations, which present a challenge to trade.

The Department of Transportation is due to respond to these requests by March 21st.

(Source: Logistics Management)