IATA-FIATA Join Forces to improve cargo security

Geneva, Apr 3: The International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA) are forming a global air cargo security industry task force to improve air cargo supply chain security.

The move responds to an increasingly complex and costly security environment that jeopardises cargo flows and too often features measures that do little to improve security. Most recently, US proposals for 100 per cent screening of cargo on passenger flights within three years could cost the industry an estimated 3.6 billion dollars over 10 years and focus efforts primarily on the wrong end of the cargo supply chain.

''The lack of global harmonisation of standards has made cargo security a costly mess,'' said IATA's director general and CEO Giovanni Bisignani.

''Regulators need to focus on security throughout the supply chain process, make better use of technology and mutually recognise each other's security standards and programmes. Together with other industry groups, IATA and FIATA will tackle these issues head on.'' The task force will develop and voice industry positions that protect the integrity of supply chain security while ensuring cargo gets to destination in a timely manner. The task force will also improve the flow of information on security issues between industry associations and regions.

The group will be jointly led by FIATA and IATA with an executive co-ordination team and secretariat. Membership is open to all industry stakeholder associations.

IATA represents 250 airlines comprising 94 per cent of international scheduled air traffic. FIATA represents an industry covering approximately 40,000 forwarding and logistics firms employing around ten million people in 150 countries.

UNI