Airlines see no lag in meeting new EU cargo security norms deadline

Carriers would need security processes audited by EU's authorised validators

Airlines will have to comply with the European Union (EU)'s new norms for air cargo security by July 1 or face a ban in transporting cargo or carrying cargo to the region's airports. Airlines will now have to ensure cargo bound for the region is screened or comes from a secure supply chain. Airlines, including European ones, will need a security verification certificate for cargo operations at an airport outside the region. This means airlines will need to get their cargo security processes followed at the airports (from where the cargo is shipped) audited by EU-authorised validators. The International Air Cargo Association has warned of implementation challenges, though airports and cargo operators in India are confident of meeting the deadline.

Air India and Jet Airways did not respond to emails.

Airports have begun steps to comply with the norms. "The government could have lobbied with EU and secured an exemption from the verification process," an industry source said. In April-November 2013, airports in India handled 950,000 tonnes of international freight.

Air India and Jet Airways fly to Europe. Jet earns eight-10 per cent of its revenue from cargo. European airlines, including Lufthansa and KLM (Martinair), have direct passenger and freighter flights between India and Europe. Gulf carriers carry cargo from India to Europe and onward to the US via their West Asian hubs. X-ray screening at airports in India is done by the airline or Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS)-approved agents. The responsibility of securing items in warehouses rests with the airline. Access to the cargo terminal from the landside (the side of an airport terminal to which the public has access) is the responsibility of the airport or cargo terminal operator, supported by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF). The responsibility of securing cargo when taken to the aircraft rests with the airline or its ground handler and CISF.

Raharamanan Panicker, group chief executive of Cargo Service Centre that runs terminals in Mumbai and Delhi, said: "I don't think there will be any problem in India to meet the July 1 deadline. We have been carrying out 100 per cent screening of cargo by BCAS norms." Bharat Thakkar, former president of the Air Cargo Agents Association of India, said: "My understanding is the entire validation process, from application to certification, will take two-three months."

The Mumbai International Airport said: "The BCAS regulations meet all the requirements (in cases they exceed EU requirements) except a few procedural changes. These gaps have been identified and are being closed. The processes to bridge these gaps need BCAS approval. The Mumbai International Airport-approved regulated agent has requested permission from BCAS to undertake the validation. Similarly, some airlines, like British Airways, UPS, Jet Airways and Lufthansa, have also approached BCAS for undertaking independent validations. The whole process is likely to be completed by April-end." Delhi International Airport said discussions were on with validators, to be completed before the deadline. The Bangalore airport said: "Our cargo partner, MBBA, is already compliant as of November. The other cargo partner, Air India SATS, has initiated the process and is expected to complete it by May."

SECURITY CHECK
(mt is million tonnes)

• In October 2010, two improvised explosive devices were transported as air cargo for US destinations. Fortunately, these were intercepted en route. These incidents highlighted to regulators and air carriers concerns regarding the security of air cargo
• Air India flies to London (the UK), Paris (France) & Frankfurt (Germany). Jet Airways flies to London & Brussels (Belgium)
• About 30% of cargo handled at Mumbai & Delhi airports, the two busiest in India, goes to Europe. Airports in India handled 1.4 mt of global cargo in 2013-14