newstodate.aero
APR 28, 2009 (newstodate): Among the parties involved in the network of air cargo business, airline cargo GSA companies represent a black spot.
-GSAs are not included in, nor mentioned in EU legislation and regulations and so they fall outside the areas of inspection by national authorities, says Jessi Johnsen, Danish CAA chief inspector security.
-GSAs may represent airlines that are on-line at stations in a EU country, or off-line airlines as well. And the problem is especially pertinent with GSAs representing off-line airlines.
-Inspections will cover airlines that actually operate at stations in the country, but as for off-line carriers we are not in a position to enforce security controls as their cargo will not necessarily depart from a national airport.
-The crux remains that only cargo sent via an authorised cargo handling agent's airside premises can be trucked out of the country as cargo ready for carriage and carrying the STX mark in the papers. Any other cargo can be trucked anywhere but will need security inspection by a cargo agent at the airport of departure before being cleared as ready for carriage.
-We have seen examples indicating that GSAs may put pressure on forwarders and transporters, even instructing a transport provider to mark the shipment as STX. It remains a problem to be solved, says Ms Johnsen.
-GSAs are not included in, nor mentioned in EU legislation and regulations and so they fall outside the areas of inspection by national authorities, says Jessi Johnsen, Danish CAA chief inspector security.
-GSAs may represent airlines that are on-line at stations in a EU country, or off-line airlines as well. And the problem is especially pertinent with GSAs representing off-line airlines.
-Inspections will cover airlines that actually operate at stations in the country, but as for off-line carriers we are not in a position to enforce security controls as their cargo will not necessarily depart from a national airport.
-The crux remains that only cargo sent via an authorised cargo handling agent's airside premises can be trucked out of the country as cargo ready for carriage and carrying the STX mark in the papers. Any other cargo can be trucked anywhere but will need security inspection by a cargo agent at the airport of departure before being cleared as ready for carriage.
-We have seen examples indicating that GSAs may put pressure on forwarders and transporters, even instructing a transport provider to mark the shipment as STX. It remains a problem to be solved, says Ms Johnsen.