Royal Jordanian joins TIACA, pledges to join fight against restrictions

ROYAL Jordanian Airlines, has joined The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA) and pledged support for the group's campaign to tackle problems impeding the development of air cargo.

Ingo Roessler, vice president of the airline's cargo unit, said in a statement issued by TIACA: "Royal Jordanian has made great advances during the last three years, achieving continuous profit and joining one of the leading alliances for passenger services: oneworld. Our cargo business is striving to make similar progress and joining TIACA, the world's leading cargo association, supports this objective.

"We seek to strengthen the association as a corporate member and look forward to strongly supporting TIACA as it works to tackle major issues of development where the airline industry has not enough voice," said Mr Roessler.

TIACA is actively involved with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the European Civil Aviation Council, the World Customs Organization, World Bank and United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). Through these working relationships, TIACA said it is attempting to represent the best interests of the air cargo industry on issues such as liberalisation policy, EU transport strategies, customs regulation and facilitation.

In the past year, through debates, consultations and conferences, TIACA said its representatives have also addressed issues affecting the supply chain, customs and trade integrity, air cargo, the third world, data discipline, customs performance measurement and unique consignment identification.

TIACA chairman Jack Boisen, who is also cargo vice president at Continental Airlines, said: "Our goal is to create a fairer, freer, faster and less regulated environment for an industry that is vital to world trade and a driver of global economic development. TIACA's membership is at an all-time high and we welcome more members that want to join us in working to improve the air cargo industry."

From its hub in Amman, Royal Jordanian serves more than 29 airports throughout the Arab world and a further 25 in Europe, the US and Asia, the TIACA statement said.