Brandon (AfA) 2026 Channels Dylan 1947

     At times, yesterday is today as we experience events going in our world of logistics.
     Take the case of the Airforwarders Association (AfA) call-out of the U.S. government’s investment failure as a puny excuse for flight cuts from Chicago O’Hare International Airport
      In Washington, D.C. (AfA) took the bull by the horns criticizing the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) decision to cut hundreds of daily flights at O’Hare.
     Brandon Fried, AfA Executive Director led the charge noting that the move reflects “long-standing failures to invest in aviation infrastructure and air traffic control.”
     The FAA has ordered airlines to reduce operations at O’Hare to 2,708 daily flights during the summer season, down from more than 3,000 planned peak-day movements, in a bid to reduce delays and congestion at one of the United States’ busiest cargo and passenger hubs.
     “This is not a surprise,” Brandon declared, “it is the consequence of years of underinvestment in airport infrastructure and a failure to adequately staff the air traffic control system.”
     “When demand outpaces what the system can safely handle, the result is disruption, reduced capacity, and higher costs that ripple across the supply chain.
     “Moreover,” he warned, “cutting flights at a major global gateway will constrain air cargo capacity, increase delays, and add further pressure to already strained supply chains, particularly for time-sensitive shipments.”
     AfA also reiterated its call for an immediate resolution to the ongoing Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown, warning that the situation is approaching a critical point for aviation security.
     Reportedly more than 780 Transportation Security Administration officers have resigned during the shutdown and funding for the twice-monthly payroll is expected to end in early May.
     “While aviation security remains robust, the longer-term impact of workforce disruption is real,” said Fried.
     “We urgently need a resolution that restores stability, including a sustainable, long-term approach to pay for Transportation Security Administration personnel.
     “AfA calls on federal authorities to take coordinated action to address infrastructure constraints, rebuild staffing resilience, and ensure that policy decisions support, rather than restrict, the efficient movement of goods.”
     Brandon Fried has been an outstanding and most interesting industry leader for decades.
     Fried was elected to the AfA Board in 2001 and has served as Executive Director since 2005, He recently announced his retirement from AfA at the end of 2026 .
     Looks like Brandon’s move toward hanging it all up has not slowed down his zeal to continue his attempt to get a better deal for air forwarders, airports and air cargo in general.
     Mr. Fried continues to keynote at small and large airport air cargo clubs; at various industry events and gatherings and of course is no stranger in the U.S. halls of Congress.
     Dylan Thomas the Welsh poet could have been describing Brandon’s mindset in 2026 when he wrote these words in 1947.

               “Do not go gentle into that good night.
               “Old age should burn and rage at the close of day.
               “Rage, rage against the dying of the light!”

     You go, Brandon!
Geoffrey Arend