Speaking at the 3rd Logistics Business Breakfast independent consultant and aviation expert, Keith Horn, explained how critical customs procedures were in the just-in-time (JIT) aerospace industry.

He said there had been a lot of consideration about customs modernisation. He said SARS and SAAFF were to be commended on their collaborative processes in recent months and said discussions and debates on the proposed new acts had centred around practical recommendations the two parties had received from the industry.

Horn added that supply chain efficiency in the aerospace industry was critically important to JIT inventory spares flow. This efficiency was critical to both passengers and freight, which needed to be transported on time to contain cost and achieve sustainability.

He said efficiencies in customs clearing processes play an integral role in enabling the industry to have the right spares at the right place and at the right time. According to Horn, airlines are controlled by many regulations and have many international audits to undergo, which have a strong emphasis on passenger safety.

Meaningful collaboration between airlines, customs agents and all other players within the supply chain is essential to provide the solutions for on-time logistics service delivery, he says. In conclusion he said there would always be calls for more proactive planning to ensure that airlines were in a better position to keep flights on schedule. Collaboration was the only way to succeed, he said.