Mike King, Special Correspondent | Jul 09, 2012 9:15AM EDT
The Global Air Cargo Advisory Group has warned regulators that national, ad hoc and impractical approaches to advance electronic information systems will undermine air cargo security and increase costs and bureaucracy.
GACAG, which represents airlines, forwarders and shippers, said a harmonized, global approach would help regulators achieve their aims more effectively.
"There has been a recent significant increase in the number of countries seeking to implement advance electronic information," said Michael Steen, Chairman of GACAG.
However, he added, many were not using the advance electronic information standards published in the World Customs Organization’s SAFE Framework, creating confusion in the aviation sector and driving up costs.
"In their respective efforts to further secure the air cargo supply chain, some countries have been releasing ad hoc directives — including consideration of advance electronic information prior to loading - without adequate time for discussion, resulting in regulations that the industry may be unable to fulfill.”
GACAG said advance data requirements for security risk assessment purposes should allow for multiple originators of filings and limit multiple submissions of the same information.
The organization also called for broad industry participation in the ongoing Air Cargo Advance Screening pilot under way in the U.S., the results of which could be used as a basis for developing global standards.
“We are a global industry and it is critical that we work with regulators to develop a global, harmonized approach in this area,” added Steen.
Contact Mike King at michael@borderline.eu.com.