Air, Freight News

TIACA Calls for EU Migrant Crisis Solutions; Offers Security Advice

[ October 5, 2015   //   Gary G Burrows ]

The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA) called on world leaders meeting at the United Nations last week to work together to find solutions to the ongoing migrant crisis in Europe.

The situation has already seen more than 514,000 people cross the Mediterranean to reach Europe with almost 3,000 people perishing on the journey or reported missing.

“We must act together now to stop this human tragedy, and TIACA, which has in-depth expertise on global security issues, is prepared to offer its support in any way it can,” said Doug Brittin, Secretary General, TIACA. “The tremendous influx of refugees in Europe has a terrible human cost and is also impacting our members and our industry.”The crisis has resulted in increased wait times at border crossings including the Channel Tunnel between Calais, France and Dover, UK as well as causing empty positioning and reduced volumes for road hauliers, having a significant financial impact on European air cargo logistics. The Dutch Association for Transport and Logistics claims that if controls were established across all Schengen borders, the single European zone with borderless travel between 26 states, adding a one-hour delay to crossings, the cost for Dutch carriers alone would be EUR600 million a year.”

According to IATA), roughly 30% of all air cargo comes from or goes to Europe, and therefore has a direct impact on a major part of global air cargo volumes.

Tags: TIACA