At Cargo Network Services Conference going on right now in Miami came rarity just out of the gate as Brandon Fried, the erstwhile President of the important U.S.-based Airforwarders Association (AfA) struck a critical chord in the air cargo discussion with some background and keen advice on navigating the changing business climate in 2025.
     No way the FlyingTypers would miss the opening of the CNS Partnership Conference, so we wish to start our coverage with Brandon. the person who has embodied the interests of the American forwarding community for a number of years. Fried noted that the CNS Partnership Conference is “one of the most important events in our industry’s calendar.”
     Brandon continued commending Alicia Lines’s “steadfast leadership” in conjunction with “the dedicated CNS staff and Industry Advisory Board”.  Brandon noted that “as a subsidiary of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), CNS plays an essential role in uniting stakeholders across the air cargo supply chain.” In conclusion, “providing a platform for meaningful dialogue is exactly what our industry needs—especially now.”
     Brandon then continued mentioning the challenges that the industry faces “since the inauguration of the Trump administration”; in particular, it was noted that tariffs are not a problem in themselves, but uncertainty surely is.
     “These tariffs, intended to reduce the U.S. trade deficit—which last year stood at $4.1 trillion in imports versus $3.2 trillion in exports—have instead intensified unpredictability and led to costly front-loading by shippers,” observed Brandon Fried.
     Attributing this result to instability, it was noted that “the IMF recently revised its 2025 global growth projection down from nearly 3% to 1.8%.” It was also stressed that “our industry is feeling the pressure, not just in numbers, but in real-world disruptions to planning, pricing, and capacity.”
     Brandon Fried was crystal clear in his conclusion, excluding the fact that tariffs are not a problem in themselves, “but policy unpredictability is a dangerous destabilizer.”
     The Airforwarders’ Association “continues to advocate for smart, long-term investment in transportation infrastructure and policies that support business continuity.”
     “We need consistency. We need planning certainty. And most of all, we need collaboration.” This was the unmistakably clear conclusion of this chain of thoughts, leading to extolling CNS and its role in ensuring collaboration among the stakeholders. “In moments of disruption, this conference—and the relationships it helps build—are our strongest assets. It’s here that we come together as forwarders, carriers, shippers, and regulators to share solutions and shape the future.” 
     Talking of the omnipresent concern regarding security, Brandon said: “We see an opportunity for TSA to re-examine outdated or overly rigid regulatory frameworks—particularly in light of the Trump administration’s directive to roll back regulations that exceed statutory authority. There’s room for improvement in many areas:

        •   A streamlined Alternate Method of Compliance (AMOC) process,
        •   A clear definition of “Cargo Acceptance,”
        •   Practical enhancements to drum-screening procedures,
        •   Improved oversight of authorized trucking representatives, and
        •   A revamp of the Known Shipper Program.

     Additionally, recent revisions to the Standard Screening Procedures for Air Cargo (SSPAC) and the Certified Cargo Screening Program (CCSP) are now out for review. “AfA will submit comments to TSA by June 30.”
     Before his conclusion, with thanks for the organization, Brandon Fried made a forward looking remark: “Looking ahead, our mission remains unchanged: to promote security, facilitate trade, and strengthen infrastructure. But we cannot do it alone. That’s why partnerships like those fostered through CNS and IATA are so valuable. Together, we can weather today’s storms and prepare our industry for tomorrow’s opportunities.”
     As repeatedly stated at the meeting, these are not easy times: we still hear the echoes of the timeworn rumours, probably uncalled for, from those who suggested IATA wanted to shut CNS for good. Listening to the Airfreight Forwarders and looking at their generous involvement, nothing could sound more out of place at this point in time.
     Collaboration is key and that is what CNS is all about. Long live CNS!

     The 34th CNS Partnership Conference takes off this week May 13-15 at the JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa, in Miami.
     Miami native Alicia Lines was appointed as President of Cargo Network Services on January 7, 2025.; we shall share some of her thoughts here.
     “At the CNS Partnership Conference we know relationships move our industry.
     “We are creating the perfect setting for conferees to build upon our three-day encounter by bringing back some favorites with the Golf Tournament and our “Women in Cargo” reception.
     “CNS is also creating new opportunities with a new meet and greet session; and a fast-paced networking session for companies to connect directly with airlines through scheduled short meetings.
     “For non-golfers is an invitation to go sailing with colleagues in a refreshing informal way to network while enjoying the best views of Miami.
     “CNS will close with a gala dinner in true Havana chic style!
     “Join us for unforgettable days to connect and collaborate with the cargo community,” Alicia Lines declared.
     As the second Lady President of CNS (the first was Laura Pullins  named in 2022), Alicia began her career in aviation more than 23 years ago as the International Air Transport’s Association’s (IATA) Country Manager for the Western Caribbean.
     Following her transfer to the association’s regional office for the Americas in Miami, she held posts both in Human Resources and the Regional Vice President’s Office.
     She was promoted to Regional Director Financial and Distribution Services, overseeing, amongst others, the financial settlement systems for both passenger (BSP) and cargo (CASS) sales in the Americas.
     Since April 2024, Alicia also had assumed the additional responsibility for the regional cargo operations and acting interim CNS President.
     Worth recalling as CNS Partnership at 34 years is a robust middle-aged gathering for not only the airline forwarder partnership, but also for better cooperation between all parts of the industry.

     The idea for Cargo Network Services was driven initially by a forwarder named Tony Calabrese, who served longest as the CNS President, and in that role did it all, including launching the CNS Partnership Conference.
      People have called CNS Partnership a lot of things since it opened for business in 1990, but right now it can be said that the gathering has never been slow or late in providing a first-class venue for conducting business.
    Here is what Tony Calabrese told me about the CNS Partnership start up and his time living the dream of bringing the airlines and their partners closer together.
     “When I started at CNS, the airlines and the forwarders, even the airlines and airlines, barely spoke to each other,” Tony recalled.
     “What happened right from the very first Partnership Conference is that everybody discovered, through understanding, that our supposed differences were more myth than fact.”
    Tony Calabrese shepherded this North American gathering (which began in 1991) for 15 years until his retirement in 2006.
He recalls those years as quite positive for air cargo as well as for himself.
     “I never went to work one day at CNS that I was not glad to be there.
     “I was part of the original board that put CNS together and into business.”
For the record, CNS was born from IATA losing its anti-trust immunity, a consequence of the Competitive Marketing investigation and subsequent deregulation, which is the reason that the American-based organization had to keep an arm’s length relationship with IATA for many years.
     “For years we struggled for recognition and many people thought CNS was no more than the CASS settlement system,” Tony declared.
     “To change that perception, we started CNS Focus as a four-page newsletter and sent it around to our members.
     “While attending a luncheon at the Wings Club I had mentioned to an IATA official that I was with CNS and the reply was an enthusiastic: ‘Oh yes, that is my favorite news network.’
     “We had a good laugh at that one, but the comment told us we needed to do some work at defining CNS to people in the world at large.
     “CNS Focus as a publication certainly helped raise awareness, but I felt that there was still more work to do.
     “So we began The CNS Partnership Conference. But I wanted our conference to be different. To us ‘Partnership’ was never about CNS, it was more about industry stakeholders’ objectives and needs. We never looked at the event as a big money-maker either, but rather our approach was to do what was good for air cargo.
     “The purpose was to bring airlines and forwarders together. “From that simple premise we held our first conference in Tarpon Springs (near Tampa), Florida.
“We set up meeting tables of ten places each in the hall and assigned luck of the draw seating to everyone.
     “The idea right out of the gate was to keep people from congregating with co-workers or best friends. We wanted to stimulate the conversation, the floor discussion, even debate.
     “I recall 97 people showed up for that first Partnership Conference and half again as many for our second gathering a year later in Dallas.”
     Tony, who remains alive and well, characteristically, is still giving much of the credit for CNS to others.
     We are thankful that he has allowed for us to document this time in our history so easily forgotten.
     “Guenter Rohrmann was a very dynamic board member and Chairman of CNS.
     “During those years, the CNS Board—both airlines and forwarder members—really gave the organization purpose.”
     “It was the CNS members who carried the ball and helped make things work.”
“People like Cotton Daly (TWA), Buz Whalen (JAL), Pat Phelan (Aer Lingus), Ed Mortiz (British), Isaac Nijankin (Varig), Jerry Trimboli (SAS), Bill Boesch (AA), Dave Brooks (AA), Jim Friedel (NWA), and of course others, including brokers and forwarders like Joel Ditkowsky and Jo Frigger (EMO Trans).
     “From the media, Dick Malkin, carried his more than 50 years of experience in air cargo forward, and was available to shape and guide the early development of our magazine, CNS Focus.
     "Although Dick cautioned us early on about the idea of an Airline/Agent Forum, The CNS Partnership Conference, he stood up to every task and made things much better by his kind advice and constant presence as a major contributor to the CNS Partnership Conference,” Tony said.
     "Malkin surveys and analysis gave CNS new insights about the world of air cargo, which enhanced our programs.
     “I am reluctant,” Tony said, “to name names because leaving someone out can cause an unnecessary slight. Safe to say, all the people who we worked with who helped lift our CNS idea are in a special place and we still think about them.
     “Often someone we have not thought about for years will be recalled because of an incident or a project we once shared. The memories are mostly positive and I am very grateful to have shared them.
     “Our best work was bringing the industry together,” Tony Calabrese concluded.
As CNS takes off in 2025 it includes an American history of getting down to business punctuated with cooperations and friendship every step of the way.
Miami is the place to be this week in air cargo.
Geoffrey Arend

    
      Jason Berry “Mr. Air Cargo” at Alaska Air, for many seasons, got upped last September to Executive Vice President at the Alaska Air Group, Inc. parent company level, while also maintaining his role as President of Horizon Air.
     At the same time, who came along in a puff of smoke, but the cargo pro, Ian Morgan, named Alaska Airlines Vice President of Cargo to lead the charge and nearly 600 employees who make up Alaska Air Cargo.
     But while Ian, who keeps his toothbrush packed and ready to go at once across the wide Pacific or to myriad USA destinations on short notice, Jason while building the team across the board steps back into the spotlight and shares his take on the future of his expanded airline company.
     “Our differentiator are our people,” declares Jason, “whether your freight is flying on Hawaiian or Alaska aircraft, it will be handled by people who truly care about you and your cargo.
     “We’re a people business, and that isn’t changing with this combination.
     “Additionally, our combined network provides exponential opportunities for our customers that simply didn’t exist before.
     “We can connect our customers to the world, and we’re just getting started.
     “One huge unlock with the combined airline is the fact that we can use Alaska’s extensive North American network to link up with Hawaiian’s Pacific widebody operations.
     “Our customers can now move cargo from Asia to some of the largest cargo gateways in North America by air without the need to truck.”

On Challenges As 2025 Continues

     “Our focus is on controlling what we can control.
     “We’re delivering long-term plans that will benefit our customers and our business regardless of any near-term economic impacts.  
     “The one thing I’ve learned in my nearly 30-years in cargo is that we have to be prepared for anything, leveraging nimbleness and adaptability over rigid structures.
     “Our industry from Fairbanks to Fort Lauderdale is never static.
     “Facing challenges must be addressed head on.              
     “Serving remote communities in Alaska and the unique requirements in the Hawaiian Islands makes us naturally more flexible and resourceful than most carriers.
     “Our ability to pivot quickly puts us in a strong position when it comes to dealing with shocks to the industry.  
     “Much like the passenger operation,” Jason Berry said,”the next three years will be transformational for Alaska Air Cargo.
     “We’re launching an international long-haul gateway out of Seattle with initial flights to Tokyo and Seoul, and we couldn’t be more excited to pack those bellies with cargo.
     “We are learning a lot from our new colleagues at Hawaiian about serving these international markets, and I’m confident cargo will be a strong additive to the eventual 12 passenger long-haul destinations from Seattle.”  

In The Air Everywhere 

     “First, let’s dispel right away that as an airline we are just up into the air from the corner of the State of Alaska.
     “Alaska Air Cargo serves 130 destinations across North America, and now, the Pacific Rim.
     “We were forged in the State of Alaska, and we take our responsibility to those communities seriously, but we also can get your freight anywhere you want it to go.
     “Be brave, don’t be afraid to take on new challenges, stay curious, true to yourself, and trust your instincts.”

Who Do You Admire & Why

     “As I get older and now have children of my own, I admire my mother even more and more. As a single parent, she put everything else in life aside for my sister and me. She taught me to work hard and to never give up even when it looks like the odds are against you. This philosophy has worked in business and in life.  
      “I’m naturally an optimistic person. I believe we can achieve remarkable things when everyone is aligned and working together.
     “Sometimes it may appear to be a daunting task, but you can never underestimate the power of a team that is all rowing in the same direction.  

Air Canada Was A Life-Endearing Time

     “My time at Air Canada was thrilling, to be a part of an incredible organization with amazing people. My time within Air Canada is a cherished moment in my life. I forged life-long friendships with amazing people, and I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to work alongside them.  
     “The return to Alaska Air was easy-peasy, like riding a bicycle.
     “While some names had changed, the culture and core of what makes Alaska Air Group special was still intact and thriving.
     “My biggest surprise was to see how much the company had grown and to learn of the Hawaiian combination made it even more exciting to be part of a company primed and ready to go global.”
Geoffrey Arend