The U.S. Airforwarders Association (AfA) has expressed its disappointment at the continuing federal government shutdown, warning it could create backlogs and disrupt supply chains.
There are concerns that absence rates could rise if essential workers across the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) do not start getting paid soon.
“Air cargo depends on a functioning federal government,” said Brandon Fried, executive director, Airforwarders Association.
“TSA, FAA and CBP employees are showing extraordinary dedication in difficult circumstances, but they cannot be expected to continue indefinitely without pay.”
The AfA said that TSA officers are responsible for screening cargo and CBP officers “play a critical role” in processing import and export clearances. “Reduced staffing will slow these operations, creating backlogs that damage supply chains and the wider U.S. economy,” the AfA said.
Read more in an article from Air Cargo News.