October 3 - Air freight top brass have called for global standardised security procedures across the industry, writes HLPFI's Emma Murray from the Air Cargo Forum (ACF) in Atlanta, USA.
Governments and the industry need to work hand-in-hand towards a "smart security", according to Brandon Field, executive director of the Airforwarder's Association in the USA.
"The industry has been brought in at the ground level by the regulators, we need to tear down the silos that prevent us working together," he said.
December is the deadline set by the US Government for the screening of all cargo on US bound passenger planes, a target which John Sammon, assistant administrator, Office of Security Policy and Engagement, Transport Security Administration (TSA) told delegates at The International Air Cargo Association (Tiaca)'s biennial get-together.
But his suggestion that security on passenger planes carrying cargo may have to be tighter than for freighters was slammed by fellow panelist Karl Ulrich Garnadt, chairman of the executive board and ceo, Lufthansa Cargo.
"We have a clear position, we have the same level for both," he told HLPFI. "There needs to be a global security standard."
Raymond H LaHood, secretary of Transportation, US Department of Transportation told ACF delegates safety was the "number one priority for the USA which is the largest and safest aviation system in the globe."
The ACF is celebrating its 50th anniversary by returning to its launch city of Atlanta. Five thousand delegates are expected to visit the 200 exhibitors during the course of the show this week.
