The International Air Transport Association identified four priorities to make air cargo more secure and urged stakeholders to move forward on the implementation of the Secure Freight principles. Secure Freight was initiated by IATA to promote global security standards to facilitate safe, secure and efficient operations of air cargo.
“The stakes are high. If regulators and governments lose confidence in the security of air freight, then bureaucracy will increase and ultimately some items may not even be viable to be air freighted. Commerce as we know it would look very different,” said Tony Tyler, director general and CEO.
He called for:
* Closer cooperation between all stakeholders: A team effort engaging the entire air cargo supply chain and governments is necessary to enhance and deploy global standards for security.
* Harmonisation and convergence of regulations: The International Civil Aviation Organisation should be the focal point for this work, which could embrace a roadmap for states to obtain mutual recognition of cargo security regimes.
* Global capacity building: Mutual support among governments will strengthen the security network. There are already good examples of this, such as Canada assisting Mexico with security programs for cargo and passenger traffic
* Long-term commitment: Harmonisation and recognition of air cargo security requires a continued commitment from all parties over the long-term.
