Air cargo supply chains face 'critical pressure'

11 Nov 2010

Source:  Procurement Leaders

Global air cargo supply chains are coming under "critical" pressure in the wake of the recent attempt by Yemen-based terrorists to send bombs into the US via air freight, experts have warned. A new report from The Journal of Commerce notes that supply chain partners are "scrambling" to control the Washington reaction to the recently revealed gaps in air cargo security. It adds that, as the public sector pushes for swift redress of the risk level for air cargo, shippers and carriers are stressing caution on changes that will drastically affect the consumer.

"Most people don't understand how interconnected global supply chains are. Any hiccup has colossal consequences,"  said Ken Lyon of the United Kingdom-based consulting firm Virtual partners. "Unfortunately, politicians have this urge to do something, even if it's not particularly sensible. If [...] we have to inspect every shipment or it can't get on a plane, global trade would come to a halt."

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