JEDDAH, 19 January 2007 — Saudi air cargo companies will become part of the new national civil aviation security plan proposed by the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA).
Under the plan, which was disclosed recently, the GACA requirements to be implemented in May, will oblige air cargo companies to check the security of air shipments prior to sending them to major airports. Companies have to install expensive security check systems in their warehouses in order to obtain GACA approval to become authorized cargo shippers.
Under the new program, cargo companies will become solely responsible for the security of air shipments since there will be no more checking at the airports. The General Authority said air cargo shipments will not be accepted at major airports unless they come from authorized cargo companies.
However, many believe that these measures are a way for privatizing the security part of the air cargo sector, though others think that the measures are a way to allow more participation of the private sector in the country’s security. “The implementation of the new authorized cargo shipment program will increase the awareness of private companies about security measures and how to become involved in the country’s national security,” said Ayman Awad, executive coordinator for Kanoo Travel, one of the major cargo companies in the Kingdom.
Awad believed that only large companies such Kanoo can fulfill this new role because obtaining the General Authority approval requires a substantial capital outlay.