CELEBRATING 70 YEARS

THE PALLET NEWSLETTER — April 2025 Edition

The Pulse of Air Cargo & Logistics — Stay Informed

From the President’s Desk

Dear Members,

Spring is in full swing, and so is the IACAC events calendar! I’m excited to invite you to our “Almost Cinco de Mayo” Celebration on Thursday, May 1st at Tapalpa Mexican Restaurant in Elk Grove Village. It promises to be a fun and relaxed evening filled with tacos, tequila, and great conversations — the perfect opportunity to connect with industry peers.

We are also thrilled to welcome an incredible group of new members to the IACAC community this month. From asset-based carriers to branding specialists and digital freight innovators, this diverse group reflects the evolving strength of our local and global supply chain. Please take a moment to explore their profiles and offer them a warm welcome at upcoming events.

Be sure to mark your calendars for August 14th, when our Annual IACAC Golf Outing returns to St. Andrews Golf & Country Club in West Chicago. This is our largest event of the year, supporting the IACAC Scholarship Fund while providing a full day of networking, friendly competition, and community engagement. Registration for foursomes, individual golfers, lunch tickets, and sponsorships is now open.

Thank you for your continued involvement and support. IACAC is only as strong as its members — and you continue to raise the bar.

Best regards,
Christina Aguirre
President, IACAC

🌟 Member Spotlight: Emirates SkyCargo

Emirates SkyCargo continues to lead global air logistics through innovation, reliability, and specialized cargo solutions.

Key Highlights

• ✈️ Fleet Power: 260+ aircraft, including 11 dedicated freighters

• ❄️ Cold Chain Excellence: GDP-certified pharmaceutical handling infrastructure

• 🌍 Global Reach: 150+ destinations supporting e-commerce, perishables, and high-value cargo

LEARN MORE

📢 Industry News & Updates

📦 Air Cargo Market Outlook: Optimism with Caution

International air cargo markets are showing early signs of recovery following a prolonged downturn.

According to IATA’s March 2025 Report:

• Global demand increased 5.8% year-on-year (cargo tonne-kilometers).

• North America–Europe routes are leading recovery.

• Growth driven by pharma, automotive parts, and aerospace shipments.

• Capacity continues expanding, though bottlenecks remain on Asia–Europe corridors.

Freight rates are stabilizing and remain 10–15% above 2019 levels, while yield pressure persists as passenger belly capacity returns.

LEARN MORE

🌍 Cross-Border E-Commerce Drives New Cargo Strategies

The global e-commerce surge continues reshaping logistics:

• Small parcel shipments increased 18% globally vs. Q1 2024.

• Freight forwarders expanding e-commerce-focused air cargo services.

• Airports including ORD, MIA, and LGG investing in specialized cargo infrastructure.

LEARN MORE

🔒 New Regulations: Lithium Batteries & Sustainability Push

Dangerous Goods Updates

• ICAO and IATA released updated 2025 Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR).

• Stricter packaging and labeling requirements for lithium batteries.

• Increased inspections and shipment limitations by airlines.

Sustainability Developments

• Emirates, Lufthansa Cargo, and United Cargo expanding Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) adoption.

• Shippers increasingly requesting CO₂ emissions reporting for air freight.

🚀 Hot Topics Scan — April 2025

• Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) experiencing renewed cargo congestion due to freighter slot restrictions.

• Miami International Airport (MIA) opened a 150,000 sq ft e-commerce cargo facility.

• Updated U.S. CBP ACE filing deadlines now in effect for inbound air shipments — ensure compliance.

📰 IACAC News & Announcements

🎉 Welcome New Members!

We are pleased to welcome the newest additions to the IACAC community:

✅ Stephanie Burueana — Total Truck Branding
Custom vehicle branding and logistics marketing specialists

✅ M&M Direct Express Inc.
Asset-based carrier and expedited freight services

✅ Ascentient
IT and supply chain technology solutions provider

✅ Cargo Sales Network
Global GSSA with airline representation worldwide

✅ Dakota Express Inc.
Midwest freight solutions specializing in LTL and TL coverage

📌 Scholarship Program Reminder

Applications for the IACAC 2025 Scholarship Program are open through May 15, 2025.

📅 Upcoming Events & Networking Opportunities

REGISTER NOW

⛳ Golf Outing Reminder

Whether you’re swinging for fun or business, this is the must-attend event of the year!

REGISTER NOW

🗓 2025 IACAC Events Calendar

• JAN 7 — Behind-the-Scenes at UPS Air Cargo ORD (Members Only)

• FEB 13 — IACAC at Puttshack, Oakbrook, IL

• MAR 20 — March Madness at Pop’s Pizza, Roselle, IL

• APR 10 — Global K9 Screen Demonstration, Elk Grove Village, IL

• MAY 1 — Cinco de Mayo Celebration, Tapalpa Restaurant

• JUN 12 — Chicago Dogs Game, Rosemont, IL

• JUN 26 — O’Hare Airport Tour

• JULY — TBD

• AUG 14 — Golf Outing, St. Andrews Golf & Country Club

• SEP 18 — Oktoberfest, Church Street Brewery, Itasca, IL

• OCT 16 — IACAC Compliance Day

• NOV 20 — Annual Meeting & Elections, Thornwood Restaurant

• DEC 9 — Holiday Luncheon

👇 GET EVENT DETAILS

🎉 Culture & Community

💡 Did You Know?

Certified K9 teams can screen up to 500 pieces of cargo per hour, often outperforming traditional X-ray systems while reducing false alarms. They play a critical role in the TSA’s Certified Cargo Screening Program (CCSP).

📸 Photo of the Month

This month features highlights from the Global K9 Screening Demonstration, where members observed firsthand how canine teams detect threats and accelerate cargo screening.

Special thanks to our event sponsor 7LFreight by WebCargo for supporting this successful event.

📢 Get Involved!

IACAC is always looking for event sponsors, volunteers, and contributors.