The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA) is calling for the relaxation of some stringent restrictions when flying to Syria in a bid to hasten the transport of much-needed aid in the wake of a deadly earthquake that hit the border area between Turkey and Syria on February 6.

TIACA, which represents all segments of the air cargo industry worldwide, said doing so will facilitate aid to flow much quicker to the affected area. 

"TIACA calls upon the insurance markets to relax some of the stringent procedures and financial penalties in place when flying to Syria as a sanctioned state considered as a war zone," it said in a statement.

 
"Flights need to get as close as possible to where the aid is needed; therefore, flying to Damascus or Aleppo is vital to support Syrian relief efforts."

TIACA noted, however, that with current Hull war risk premiums in place, the financial impact is often too much for humanitarian agencies to bear.

The call comes after the US Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), which issued Syria General License (GL) 23, authorized for 180 days all transactions related to earthquake relief that would be otherwise prohibited by the Syrian Sanctions Regulations (SySR).

The blanket General License authorizes earthquake relief efforts so that those providing assistance can focus on what's needed most: saving lives and rebuilding, the air cargo association added.

"We urge the insurance markets to follow the lead of the US Treasury department and remove the current penalty for a limited time period to support relief efforts," TIACA said.

In its statement, TIACA praised the immediate and collaborative responses demonstrated by the entire air cargo industry following the tragic events in southern Turkey and northern Syria: from the establishment of humanitarian air bridges to making staff and capacity available to international agencies and NGOs.

"Air cargo demonstrated once again it is on the front line of humanitarian response," TIACA said.

Meanwhile, the organization noted, though, that the impacted area extends to a diameter of over 500 kilometres, with infrastructure such as roads and airports affected —  and with nighttime temperatures dropping to freezing levels, the speed of aid delivered is crucial to support the communities dealing with such horrific loss of life, with tens of thousands dead or injured.

It said that delivering vital medical supplies, blankets, food, and other lifesaving equipment is critical in effectively dealing with the aftermath of the earthquake and over 100 subsequent aftershocks.