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#INTHEAIREVERYWHERE

Vol. 25 No. 19	Wednesday April 22, 2026

     Nice to see Donna Mullins, Vice President at Kale Logistics Solutions and a true pioneer amongst women in air cargo out on the hustings, where she was smack-dab in the middle of the action as the National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America, Inc. (NCBFAA since 1897) gathered in San Antonio, Texas for their annual meeting April 12-15, 2026.
     “Great session by my friend, and NCBFAA representative, Pam Carden Brown moderating a panel on CBP issues and how to properly handle them," Donna said.
     First night it was denim, diamonds, and dice.
     “Was proud doing denim and to also be sporting my diamond airplane, thank you!
     “Wonderful, dedicated people and good times, with business not lost in all of it.
     “Plenty of sharing and learning at this event at the NCBFAA 53rd Annual Conference featured security through technology.
     “Many companies are ready to do more automation, however, sadly, CBP is still trying to get the 21st Century Customs Framework approved in Congress,” Donna said.
     As noted by Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, P.A. (ST&R), a prominent international trade law and consulting firm specializing in customs, import and export matters:
     “CBP launched the 21st Century Customs Framework (21CCF) in 2019 to address challenges from e-commerce growth, complex supply chains, and rising trade fraud.
     The point here is to:
     •   Improve timeliness and quality of data in entry and de minimis systems.
     •   Expand information sharing for targeting and admissibility.
     •   Increase visibility into global supply chains.
     •   Streamline enforcement processes.
     •   Provide alternative funding for infrastructure.”
     “The 21CCF mission is to:
     •   Modernize entry processes using technology like machine learning and imaging to provide earlier product safety checks.
     •   Enhance data sharing from e-commerce platforms and other non-traditional sources to improve risk detection.
     •   Target high-risk imports more effectively while reducing burdens on lawful trade.
     •   Improve transparency and accountability in trade.
     As of mid‑April 2026, the Customs Modernization and Trade Facilitation Act — the legislative package tied to the 21CCF— is in the final drafting and coordination phase with Congress. CBP, in collaboration with the House Ways and Means and Senate Finance Committee, has been working with the 21CCF Task Force under the Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee (COAC) to finalize the package.”
     While AI was a buzz, simple automation technology is still behind the times and also needs attention.

Donna Mullins, Kurt Schenkemeyr, Vicente Herrera

     “I was honored,” Donna declared,” to moderate a panel on The Journey of an Air Export Shipment where we heard from Kurt Schenkemeyer, Director of Systems Operations & Compliance of Argents Express who represented the IAC and Vicente Herrera, Manager, Cargo Customs Compliance-American Airlines who represented the Screener and Carrier. (Jeff Koehl of GK9 was to represent the screener and CCSF but his flight was cancelled and he was unable to join us).
Donna Mullins, Amar More      “Safety and security are the priority of international trade and logistics, and it was stressed that automation can and will help us achieve this goal and help to increase trade facilitation in a secure and compliant fashion,” Donna said.
     Here we come to what Kale has in mind these days and to that point Donna did not miss a beat.
     “Kale Information Solutions electronic data exchange in our ACS/PCS and other products can also help prevent cargo theft because a Trusted Trade Partner is required and the data, unlike a piece of paper, cannot be routed to unauthorized parties,” Donna concluded.
     Now in its 53rd year, the NCBFAA Annual Conference brings together more than 600 of the international trade industry's top representatives from around the United States.
     Headquartered in the Washington, D.C. metro area, the NCBFAA represents more than 1422+ member companies with 110,000 employees in international trade - the nation's leading freight forwarders, customs brokers, ocean transportation intermediaries (OTIs), NVOCCs and air cargo agents, serving more than 250,000 importers and exporters.
     Simple fact is that NCBFAA members handle more than 97% of the entries for shipments imported into the United States.
Geoffrey Arend

The conflict in Iran is causing problems for India's export industry. Air routes are being changed, which means shipping is getting more expensive. This also shows how much India relies on Middle Eastern routes for trade.
As the conflict worsened, airlines in West Asia operated fewer flights because of airspace limits and worries about safety. Airlines in the Gulf, which usually handle a lot of India's cargo, are the most affected. This results in a shortage of space for air freight.

     Shesh Kulkarni, Managing Director – India at Noatum Logistics, said, “Middle Eastern carriers – Emirates, Etihad, Qatar, and other Gulf carriers have over the years become a strong alternative for cargo movement. With these disturbances their capacity is out of circulation and the impact of this is visible on supply and demand in the marketplace,” Kulkarni said.
     “Demand for space is high and availability of space is low, as a result of which the air freight rates in the market are going through the roof. In certain instances, rates that were around INR 350 to 400 per kg are moving at INR 1600 per kg. All industries such as garments, automotive, pharmaceuticals and FMCG are heavily impacted,” Kulkarni pointed out.
     The disruption is particularly damaging for export sectors that depend on rapid logistics cycles, including pharmaceuticals, perishables and ready-made garments.

     Dinesh K. Krishnan, National Treasurer of the Air Cargo Agents Association of India (ACAAI), said the crisis has created what the industry describes as a “capacity shock” for Indian exports. “The escalation of the Iran conflict has triggered an immediate capacity shock for Indian exports. Perishables such as fruits, vegetables and seafood are the hardest hit because they rely on daily milk-run passenger flights to the Middle East, which are now severely disrupted,” Krishnan said.
     He highlighted that “with air freight rates having doubled globally, cargo to the U.S. and EU is increasingly being rerouted via Far East hubs or through direct flights that bypass the conflict zone entirely.”
     He also added that if the conflict continues, airlines based in the region may reposition aircraft to safer locations. “If the crisis continues, Middle East carriers will likely reposition their fleets to safer hubs outside the region to ensure aircraft safety and utilization. For sectors like pharma and readymade garments, this means navigating limited space and surging costs,” Krishnan said.
     The disruption has also begun to ripple through India’s manufacturing supply chains, particularly in sectors that rely heavily on petrochemical inputs sourced from the Gulf.

     Ashok Jirawala, Vice President of the Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said the geopolitical tensions have already triggered a sharp rise in crude oil prices, significantly increasing costs for India’s textile industry. “This recent war-like situation related to Iran has led to a significant increase in crude oil prices in the international market, which is directly impacting the textile industry,” Jirawala said.
     “Before the conflict, crude oil prices were around USD 60 per barrel, but after the escalation they have reportedly risen to USD$114 per barrel.” The increase in oil prices is particularly significant because petrochemical derivatives are a key component of synthetic textile production.
     MEG, made from crude oil, is key for making polyester yarn. This yarn is then turned into fabric and, finally, clothing. According to industry estimates, around 60 percent of India’s MEG demand is met through domestic production while the remaining 40 percent is imported — largely from Gulf countries such as Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. Jirawala warned that disruptions in this supply chain could have serious consequences for textile manufacturing. “At present the entire supply chain from Gulf countries has been disrupted. If this 40 percent supply of MEG fails to arrive, it could severely impact textile production,” he said.
     “As raw material costs increase, the prices of polyester, nylon and other synthetic fibers are also rising. Since polyester constitutes a major share in synthetic textile production, the increase in its price is affecting the overall cost of textile manufacturing.”
     Industry bodies estimate that production costs in the synthetic textile sector could rise by between 8 percent and 15 percent if the situation persists. The impact is expected to be especially severe in Surat, one of the world’s largest synthetic textile manufacturing clusters.

     Atul Patel, a senior industry representative from the region, said Surat accounts for nearly 40 percent of India’s synthetic textile output and remains heavily dependent on petrochemical-based inputs. “Because of the large-scale production of polyester-based fabrics, rising raw material costs and increased transportation expenses may directly impact Surat’s textile industry,” Patel said. “Manufacturers may face higher production costs, delays in fulfilling orders and uncertainty in export transactions.”
     Shipping routes are also facing growing pressure. Due to rising security risks in the Strait of Hormuz, some ships are choosing longer routes. This is adding up to three weeks to travel times and has caused some international freight costs to increase by 100% to 150%.
     This is especially concerning for India's textile exports. India ships about USD 44–46 billion in textiles and garments each year, and about 15–20% of that goes to the Middle East and Gulf area.
     Industry groups say that if things don't calm down, there could be big export losses in those markets. Compounding the problem, nearly half of India’s global export trade routes pass through the Red Sea and Gulf corridors, meaning disruptions in the region can affect a wide range of industries simultaneously.
Samir J. Shah

     Samir Shah, President of the Air Cargo Agents Association of India, said exporters are now facing a combination of operational and financial pressures. “All exporters who export to the Middle East or were using flights or ships through the Middle East are affected. Others are facing higher freight rates. Insurance premiums have increased and some insurance companies have withdrawn war-risk coverage,” Shah said.
     “Delivery schedules have gone awry, export obligations will be difficult to meet, and manufacturing problems are also emerging as imports from the Middle East or cargo moving over the region are affected.”
     Airspace restrictions have also disrupted air cargo schedules, forcing airlines to take longer flight paths and pushing up operating costs. For industries such as fast fashion, where delivery timelines are tightly linked to seasonal retail cycles, even small delays can lead to cancelled orders or financial penalties.
     Right now, Indian exporters are working hard to adjust by changing shipment routes, talking about new delivery times, and dealing with higher shipping prices.
     But, industry experts say that if the conflict lasts, it could do more than just mess with logistics. It might change supply chains, export routes, and how manufacturing works in some important parts of India's economy.
Tirthankar Ghosh

  Here Mikey McBryan of Buffalo Airways Cargo in YellowKnife, Canada, the carrier that flies an assortment of DC3s, C-46s whoops it up with Christopher Alf, CEO of National Airlines celebrating National’s new Boeing 777-200 Freighter delivery this week in Seattle.
  Nice to see the past in the future and the future in the past, as these two undoubtedly get it about each other and as pictured, are out to spread the joy.
  Mikey has spearheaded Buffalo Cargo’s move into Jets with a brace of B737Fs currently in operation across Canada.
  Not sure he has any place to land a Triple Seven, but dreaming big has never been a shortcoming of this most interesting cargo executive who amongst other moves was Keynote Speaker at Brandon Fried's The Airforwarders Association Air Cargo Event in Dallas in February 2025, where he charmed and inspired people all the way.
  Moving forward, National gets three more B777-200 freighters, down the road a piece, but this day it was all about getting down to business with the new arrival.
  "We are excited to take our Boeing 777-200 Freighter into commercial operations, offering our customers an enhanced fleet option to support their evolving charter requirements,” said Chris Alf.
  “The induction of the B777-200 freighters marks a significant step in strengthening our global cargo network, enabling greater efficiency, reach, and operational flexibility,” Chris Alf assures.
GDA/SSA

     As American Airlines celebrates 100 years, we invite friends and celebrants and people that may know or care very much about the airline to spend a few minutes reading about the man in modern times who led American Airlines to its greatest triumphs. Robert Crandall, (born 1935), the former Chairman and CEO of American Airlines (1985–1998), who, among other things, actually revolutionized the entire airline industry with loyalty programs and yield management.
     Our editor Richard Malkin created this exclusive story that we presented originally in September 2015.
     If you ever find yourself situate at American Airlines giant corporate headquarters in Fort Worth near DFW, you will undoubtedly see signs proclaiming “The American Airlines Robert L. Crandall Campus”.      That complex appears as a 300-acre, $1 billion, 1.8-million-square-foot campus across eight buildings with over 7,000 employees.
     It is not uncommon for important buildings and locations to be badged for extraordinary people; the branding reflecting the genius of Bob Crandall, you might guess, is no exception.
     Here are moments that illuminate how Bob Crandall built American Airlines into something special in the air.
     Happy Birthday American, and wishes for a long life, Bob, as we open a time capsule from 2015 to share the story of the greatest leader during The American Airlines Century.

Leandro Moreira

     Leandro Moreira in 2026 is a well-accomplished and respected
Senior C-Suite executive with experience leading large organizations and corporate expansion in highly complex multinational business environments.
     But on April 15, as American Airlines celebrated 100 years, Leandro recalls his beginnings when as part of AA Cargo, he took off on a career odyssey that lasted 18 years and 8 months between mid 1995 and 2014.
     Here, Leandro brings those years back with some pride and emotion, sharing what it all meant to spend a lifetime career working American.
Airlines drive a special passion for many people. In fact you can rarely find a career airline employee who doesn't hold a special place in mind and heart for the carrier where it all began.
     “American Airlines at 100 is not a milestone," Leandro says.
     “In a broader sense AA is proof of what it takes to lead an industry that does not tolerate weakness. Aviation is one of the most complex, capital-intensive, and unforgiving industries in the world.
     “Most companies spend decades trying to find stability.
     “American spent a century shaping the rules.
     “American Airlines helped define the modern network carrier, built one of the first truly scaled hub-and-spoke systems, pioneered revenue management that still underpins airline economics today, and created AAdvantage — a model that permanently changed the relationship between airlines and customers.
     “Through oneworld Alliance, AA helped architect the framework for global connectivity long before the industry fully understood its importance.
     “On the cargo side, American understood early what many learned late: air freight is not secondary to passenger operations.
     “AA Cargo today is a critical pillar of global trade, healthcare, and economic continuity.
     “What sets American apart is not just innovation. It is endurance with discipline.
     “Through deregulation, financial crises, consolidation, and global disruption, it continued to operate at a scale and level of complexity that few organizations can truly manage. I built part of my career there.
     “The standard was not to participate in the industry.
     “The standard was to perform at a level where execution, accountability, and precision were expected every single day.
     “That is how you reach 100 years in aviation.
     “Respect to the people who built it, and to those who continue to carry that responsibility forward.
     “The first century was about building the system.
     “The next century I believe will reveal who is strong enough to lead it.”

Geoffrey Arend

If You Missed Any Of The Previous 3 Issues Of FlyingTypers Access complete issue by clicking on issue icon or Access specific articles by clicking on article title
Vol. 25 No. 16 FIATA Meets As War Continues	Vol. 25 No. 17 Flying Blind At FIATA	Vol. 25 No. 18 FIATA President Talks To FT The Jewel Of Jewar At 80 SAS Raises High Times Chuckles for April 13, 2026

Publisher-Geoffrey Arend • Managing Editor-Flossie Arend • Editor Emeritus-Richard Malkin
Senior Contributing Editor/Special Commentaries-Marco Sorgetti • Special Commentaries Editor-Bob Rogers
Special Assignments-Sabiha Arend, Emily Arend • Film Editor-Ralph Arend • Photo Editor-Anthony Atamanuik

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