Jens Tubbesing, CEO and president of ABX Logistics USA, greeted the question with a smile. He was asked how the average customer reacted to the primacy of their air shipment. Was it price? Was it service? Which item topped the other? “They go hand in hand,” was his instant answer—but then, after a minute’s consideration, added that “the reality of the situation because of the nature of the product involved, there will always be that sort of shipper whose first thought is the freight rate and probably not much else.”

Doug Brittin, secretary general of the International Air Cargo Association, directed attention to the fact that the industry “has a need for flexibility” as it develops security programs for the basic reason that “one size does not fit all.” What is required is a “risk-based approach” that does not ignore different operating models. He added: “Regulators must recognize that no two airports are alike. For that matter, neither are airlines, forwarders, or other regulated parties alike. The idea is to identify the risks fully and then allow industry to provide an outcome-based approach to properly manage and mitigate risk.”