b'32American Journal ofTransportation ajot.comAir forwarders group saysTEMPERATURE-CONTROLLED airports must continue to invest in the cold chain LOGISTICS TRI-ANNUALBrandon Fried, executive director of Airforward-ers Association (AfA) discusses a variety of topics challengingtheairfreightsectorwiththeAJOT including innovation within the cold chain.By Andrew Meadows, AJOTFor more than three decades,ensure our airports can keep pace Washington,D.C.-basedAirfor- withtheneedsoftemperature-wardersAssociation(AfA)hassensitiveshipments.Itsa advocatedonbehalfoffreightcritical step toward modernizing forwardersworldwide.Withgroundaccessandcargoflow over400members-bigandinfrastructure nationwide.small-theorganizationrepre- AJOT: The growth of tem-sentsawiderangeofcompa- perature-controlledairfreight nies, from airlines to truckers toandthepharma/lifesciences warehouseoperators.Brandonindustryhavegonehandin Fried, executive director of AfA,hand, do you see this progres-recentlydiscussedacrosssec- sion continuing?tion of topics with AJOT includ- Fried: Yes, and [it is] likely inginnovationwithinthecoldaccelerating.Thedemandfor chain, forward thinking airportsspecialized healthcare products, and tariff frustration.biologics, and time-critical treat-AJOT: How has technologymentsisgrowingglobally. Air within the temperature-controlled(INVESTcontinued on With a network of over 350 stations, including 230 for Passive Temp Support products and 120 for Active Temp sector contributed to its explosive page 36) Control, Lufthansa Cargo provides a consistently high level of quality for temperature-sensitive goods worldwide.growth over the past decade?Fried:Technologyhas revolutionizedthecoldchain. Wenowseereal-timetracking, condition monitoring, and remote alerts that help maintain integrityQUALITY INfrom origin to destination. These advances have made it possible tomovehigh-value,sensitiveMOTIONgoods with confidence - fueling dramatic growth, particularly in pharma and biologics.Brandon Fried, executive director of AfAAJOT:Canweexpectair cargo companies to continue the innovation?Fried: Absolutely. With AI, IoT, and automation continuing toevolve,innovationinair cargoisjustgettingstarted. Sustainabilitywillalsodrive newthinkingfromelectric groundequipmenttosmarter routing and packaging.AJOT: Are airports keeping up with the cold chains growth curve?Fried:Someare,while others are still playing catch-up. Themoreforward-thinking airportsareinvestingincritical infrastructurelikeon-sitecold storage, specialized cargo handling facilities,andimprovedcustoms clearance procedures. But to truly meet the demands of todays cold chain,broaderinvestmentand coordination are essential. When it comes to pharmaceuticals and perishables, every moment Thats why the Airforwardersmatters. At MSC Air Cargo, we go beyond fast delivery - we safeguard Association,alongsideotherwhat matters most. Thats why we created Shipped Pharma and Shipped keystakeholders,successfullyFresh: two specialized cargo products designed to maintain product advocatedfortheGovernmentintegrity, ensure compliance, and uphold optimal conditions from origin to Accountability Office (GAO) todestination, across every mile. With certified cold chain handling and IATA study airport truck congestion - aCEIV Pharma and CEIV Fresh accreditations, we deliver more than just growingchallengethatdirectlycargowe deliver Quality in Motion. Every shipment. Every time.affectscoldchainreliability. Thisstudy,nowunderwayand codifiedinlastyearsFAA reauthorizationlaw,willhelpmsc.com/aircargoidentify where bottlenecks exist andrecommendsolutionsthat'