The Airforwarders Association (AFA) has criticised the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) decision to cut hundreds of daily flights at Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD), warning that the move reflects long-standing failures to invest in aviation infrastructure and air traffic control.
Who are the Airforwarders Association?
The Airforwarders Association (AFA) is a global alliance of indirect air carriers, cargo airlines and affiliated businesses. The association represents member companies, ranging from small businesses to those with over 1,000 people, dedicated to moving cargo.
The FAA has ordered airlines to reduce operations at ORD 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.
Brandon Fried, Executive Director, Airforwarders Association, said:
“This is not a surprise; 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.”
The AFA warned that 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.
DHS Shutdown
The Association also restated its call for an immediate resolution to the ongoing Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown, warning the situation is approaching a critical point for aviation security.
More than 780 Transportation Security Administration officers have resigned during the shutdown that occurred a few weeks ago and funding for the twice-monthly payroll is expected to end in early May.
Fried added:
“While aviation security remains robust, the longer-term impact of workforce disruption is real. We urgently need a resolution that restores stability, including a sustainable, long-term approach to pay for Transportation Security Administration personnel.”
The AFA is calling 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.
Do you find this article interesting? Let us know in the comments.
