The US Transportation Security Administration has lifted requirements for air cargo screening reports that were implemented in the wake of the World Trade Center attack on 9/11.
The TSA no longer will require airlines carrying passengers and cargo to to provide air cargo screening volume reporting, which some industry representatives said was putting a strain on an already competitive industry.
TSA Takes a More Risk-Based Approach
Doug Brittin, secretary general of The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA) said he applaud the TSA for taking a more risk-based approach to air cargo screening.
“This will significantly relieve the reporting burden on industry, saving many labor and IT hours,” Brittin said in a TIACA news release. “All passenger carriers, and over 1,200 certified freight fowarders and shippers in the US have been required to measure and provide these reports monthly. We applaud this move as a positive step towards adopting a risk-based approach versus forensic compliance.”
Industry Trade Group Lobbied for Regulatory Change
Last September, TIACA and other industry leaders lobbied the TSA to ease the requirement for reporting. TIACA chairman Oliver Evans called on TSA Administrator John Pistole to lift the reporting requirements, which took up too much time that could be devoted to improving other air cargo security measures.
In a letter to Pistole, Evans pointed out that while the 100% mandatory screening target level has been achieved, the requirements to report montly air cargo screening statistics were problematic because “the requirement places a significant labor and data collection burden” on the air cargo industry as companies must expend both human and IT resources to meet the requirement.
Evans asked Pistol to use his powers under the 2013 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act to certify that TSA has successfully achieved screening of 100% of air cargo and to life the reporting requirement. He said that eliminating this burden for all shippers, carriers and air forwarders could be accomplished through a relatively quick and straightforward process.
“We are delighted the requirements have now been lifted,” Evans said. “This move allows industry and government to properly focus limited resources on measures that materially benefit security. We represent all sections of the air freight supply chain and we are dedicate to continuing our close work with regulators to ensure global cargo security measure are effective and efficient, while ensuring the flow of commerce.”
World-Class Air Cargo Security
Evans said the TIACA will continue to work closely with the TSA to make global air cargo security measures the best in the world.
Brittin said regular and ongoing inspections of 100% of the air cargo being carried on passenger and cargo planes in the US has made the reports unnecessary. He said workers and IT resources being used to fulfill the TSA’s reporting requirement for both government and industry could be better deployed elsewhere.
TIACA is a global not-for-profit trade association that represents all the major segments of the air cargo and air logistics industry, including all-cargo airlines, forwarders, airports, ground handlers, road carriers, customs brokers, logistics companies, shippers, IT companies, aircraft and equipment manufacturers, trade press and educational institutions.