White joins CNS, will push air cargo standards

Michael R. White is pulling double-duty as the new assistant director for cargo standards, Cargo Network Services, and regional director, Americas, for standards organization Cargo 2000.

In reality the two jobs are interrelated and both organizations are closely tied to the International Air Transport Association. CNS is an IATA subsidiary that provides services for the air cargo industry such as an Internet-based electronic invoice and payment platform and compilation of statistics. Cargo 2000 is an umbrella group of airlines and freight forwarders established by IATA to develop and implement common technology and business standards in order to improve handling of international air cargo shipments.

The peripatetic White left after one year as chief operating officer of SkyLink USA, a privately held Canadian company specializing in air charters and cargo logistics for international disaster relief and humanitarian operations. He previously headed his own consulting firm and worked on contract for U.S. Customs and Border Protection in Washington. Prior to that he was managing director of cargo services at the Air Transport Association, representing the industry on a range of policy matters before Congress and government agencies, and manager of cargo services for United Airlines.

White was a member of the Gore Commission on Aviation Safety air cargo working group following the crash of TWA flight 800 in 1996, which established today's known shipper program and led to improved industry cooperation with the government on cargo security.

Source: American Shipper