Despite the encouraging news from The International Air Transport Association on improving freight volumes, there are still two key issues that may have a negative impact on a full recovery: the weather and fuel prices.

The International Air Transport Association reported full-year 2010 demand statistics for international scheduled air traffic that showed a 20.6 percent increase in freight

A new proposal from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) would remove the exemption from ISPM 15 on wood packaging material moving between Canada and the United States in both directions beginning in 2011.

In light of attempts last October by terrorists to send explosives originating from Yemen to the United States on cargo and passenger planes, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) said late last month it is looking to accelerate the deadline for screening United States-bound air cargo to December 31, 2011.

Many shipping analysts suggest that U.S. West Coast ports should be back on their heels when it comes to discussing the Panama Canal expansion. At least one leading port authority disagrees

Trade using surface transportation between the United States and its North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) partners Canada and Mexico was up 15.5 percent in November 2010 compared to November 2009, increasing to $68.1 billion, according to data released by the United States Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS).

Even though the economy is still taking its lumps en route to a full-fledged recovery, UPS appears to be ahead of the game based on its fourth quarter and full-year 2010 earnings performance.

Freight forwarders need to see “realizable and significant value” added to the airport-to-airport portion of the air cargo supply chain before making a commitment to e-commerce, said two major shipper associations.

While the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) is moving forward with an investigation of slow steaming practices in the transpacific, some analysts question whether it will even be an issue after the upcoming Lunar New Year.

Listen to Group Editorial Director Michael Levans, Executive Editor Patrick Burnson, and a panel of leading energy and transportation analysts as they give shippers an updated look at the key drivers behind the increasing transportation rates U.S. logistics professionals will face over the course of 2011.