Call for better air safety equipment
Source: Agencies |
November 3, 2010, Wednesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
THE head of the International Air Transport Association urged governments and industry yesterday to rapidly develop effective equipment such as oversized X-ray machines to screen the cargo containers that carry most airborne freight.
Giovanni Bisignani spoke several days after two explosive devices were discovered concealed aboard freight being carried by cargo jets bound for the United States.
Bisignani said the technology for such security equipment already exists, but that it is taking too long to approve it for airport use.
"There is no technology today that governments have certified to screen standard size pallets and large items," Bisignani told the association's meeting on the security of passenger and cargo planes. "There is some promising technology, but it is taking far too long to move from the laboratory to the airport. We must speed up the process."
US Transportation Security Administration chief John Pistole, who also attended the conference, said a delicate balance needs to be struck to ensure that the enhanced security requirements for air freight do not disrupt global trade.
"The flow of global commerce is key to economic recovery," Pistole said. "Security cannot bring business to a standstill."
He said aviation security was a shared responsibility because the latest events showed that "threats evolve as quickly as we can develop mitigation measures."
"This latest plot highlighted two points," Pistole said. "One that we face a determined and creative enemy with innovative design and concealment of IEDs (improvised explosive devices). And second that we have a critical need for global interdependence in aviation security."
Currently, airports rely on dogs, trace detection, and visual inspections to check most air cargo containers without having to open them.
Screening technology to handle large containers - similar to passenger X-ray machines in general use - is being tested.
Giovanni Bisignani spoke several days after two explosive devices were discovered concealed aboard freight being carried by cargo jets bound for the United States.
Bisignani said the technology for such security equipment already exists, but that it is taking too long to approve it for airport use.
"There is no technology today that governments have certified to screen standard size pallets and large items," Bisignani told the association's meeting on the security of passenger and cargo planes. "There is some promising technology, but it is taking far too long to move from the laboratory to the airport. We must speed up the process."
US Transportation Security Administration chief John Pistole, who also attended the conference, said a delicate balance needs to be struck to ensure that the enhanced security requirements for air freight do not disrupt global trade.
"The flow of global commerce is key to economic recovery," Pistole said. "Security cannot bring business to a standstill."
He said aviation security was a shared responsibility because the latest events showed that "threats evolve as quickly as we can develop mitigation measures."
"This latest plot highlighted two points," Pistole said. "One that we face a determined and creative enemy with innovative design and concealment of IEDs (improvised explosive devices). And second that we have a critical need for global interdependence in aviation security."
Currently, airports rely on dogs, trace detection, and visual inspections to check most air cargo containers without having to open them.
Screening technology to handle large containers - similar to passenger X-ray machines in general use - is being tested.
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