Fears rise over whether airlines can cope with 100pc screening

FEARS are mounting on whether airlines can cope with 100 per cent air cargo screening demanded by the US government on passenger aircraft bound for the US in August.

Experts warn that unless the air freight arriving at airports is pre-screened under the US's Certified Cargo Screening Programme (CCSP), carriers may be unable to handle initial volumes, which will likely result in delays and backlogs.

"It is simply not possible for carriers to screen all cargo, which would seriously compromise the value proposition of air freight," said American Airlines Cargo CEO Dave Brooks.

"We may have to delay shipments that are not screened, and some customers with unscreened freight who haven't engaged with us may be inconvenienced."

London's International Freighting Weekly also noted "airlines have been working hard to ensure customers understand the importance of pre-screening under the CCSP."

As things stand, the responsibility to screen the air freight ultimately rests with the carrier. Adding to the airlines' woes, however, is the difficulty at this stage to gauge exactly how much cargo will arrive at airports unscreened come August 1 when the 100 per cent screening requirement is enforced.

"It's hard to say what proportion of cargo will be pre-screened," said Dwayne Baird, from the Office of Strategic Communications and Public Affairs at the US Transportation Security Administration.

"As an industry, our concern is whether carriers have the equipment and resources to deal with 100 per cent screening, and whether cargo will be delayed," said SBS Worldwide air cargo chief Jonathan Blackney.

Source: www.schednet.com