Somewhere between the mechanical bull and an opulent sumptuous gathering in Dallas, Texas Early in March 2025, several sessions at AirCargo Conference did manage to get down to where the rubber meets the road for the three unique host associations including Air & Expedited Motor Carriers Conference (AEMCA), Airports Operators Council North America (ACI-NA), and Airforwarders Association (AfA).
     Bringing together three influential associations in air cargo, freight forwarding, airlines and airports is no easy walk in the park.
     These people mean business and although their works may be diverse, somehow year after year they come together and combine efforts over the proposition of doing some good for each other!
     “Our associations link us to powerful thought leaders so we can bring the most progressive insights to our attendees,” is the pitch that leaves little doubt that coming together amongst this tri-faith group is like the ever-ready bunny that goes on and on and on.
     A panel about Humanitarian Mission logistics might take a back seat for attention from the likes of AI, Trade Politics, high adventure in old airplanes with Mikey McBryan of Buffalo Airways and other pursuits of an all too short trade show, but at AirCargo 2025 for an hour plus on Tuesday March 4, a panel captured the emotion and purposed sense of making the caring work, spotlighting some direct brilliance on the subject of Humanitarian Logistics.
     To Brandon’s question of how can air cargo advance humanitarian logistics:

Glyn Hughes said:
     “As an industry we are constantly attacked for being baddies when it comes to sustainability.
     Sustainability is about global prosperity. It’s taking care of your fellow man.
     When there is a crises like COVID, the vaccines got to where they had to be by airlines, period.
     Ukraine emergency required getting through desperate airspace needing all kinds of negotiating to create insurance for those flights.
     Air cargo is always there and the industry should unite across the board to get that word out, whilst integrating more ideas to help others. The associations need to have a much louder global voice.”

Sam Mendenhall said:
     “We tell our people, talk to your customers and share the airlink story. At American Airlines, humanitarian involvement is a very robust program, part of our business philosophy.
     At times emergency help and action has been no further away than a call to our headquarters from a local AA-person on the scene of need. Sometimes it is as easy as people having the conversations. Response is faster and talking helps in creative solutions.
     It can be as simple as people being encouraged to donate miles so that doctor’s nurses and aid workers can get to where they need to be.”
 
Steven Smith of Airlink, the famous 32-year nonprofit organization that partners to transport relief workers and emergency supplies for NGOs at rapid-onset disasters and other crises around the globe sent out the call to attendees and helpmates alike at AirCargo Conference:
     “No one organization can accomplish sending emergency relief alone. We are a near-term solution for helping communities.
     Most important is to evangelize what we are doing. Get the word out.
     Talk to your team members, service partners, customers and tell them what Airlink is doing for humanitarian logistics.”
    
Brian Burke said:
     We need to work together. During Haiti, we did not have enough space, so we reached out to a competitor and they came through.
     There is a business case for helping.
     You are doing something good, donating resources and knowledge of logistics to NGO’s and those in need.
     Smaller NGOs desperately need help. In our view providing logistical solutions can fill that need.
     Finally donate, volunteer.
     Help Airlink. Help Project C.U.R.E.”
GDA/SSA