"The announcement by the Federal Government today that there will be a coordinated approach to filling the air freight gaps left by closing our borders, will provide relief to many Australian businesses struggling to get the airfreight services they require to maintain their businesses," Innes Willox, Chief Executive of the national employer association Ai Group, said today.
"We know that traders are losing sales and that critical medical supplies are languishing at airports simply because not enough aircraft are flying to Australia following the huge drop in international air traffic. About 90% of Australian air freight is carried by passenger planes.
"The appointment by Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Senator Simon Birmingham of a trusted industry figure such as Mr Michael Byrne will give businesses confidence that this is a program that will help them to address current and emerging issues.
"The initial destinations are welcome, however we will need airlinks to the USA, which is still a major trading partner and supplier of light high value goods that are typically airfreighted," Mr Willox said.
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