Lufthansa Cargo takes a strong lead on security
05 / 03 / 2015
COUNTRIES in South America, the Middle East and Africa have been placed on a strictly confidential cargo-risk list.
A map, drawn up by Lufthansa Cargo in combination with the German authorities and international bodies, including the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA), points the finger at those countries that are demonstrably less stringent about cargo security processes.
“You have to imagine an origin (in a state) that is not as secure as others,” says Harald Zielinski, the German carrier’s head of security and environmental management.
“From our perspective, security has to start at the (shipment’s) point of origin – nowhere else – but from time to time it is necessary to carry out transit checks on transfer cargo,” he adds.
The German carrier operates a zero-tolerance attitude towards poor security regimes, insisting that Lufthansa personnel or a recommended security/handling agent audits the processes and the facilities. This process takes at least one full day, depending on the frequency of operations.
“Let’s just say, if we conduct a 100 per cent audit all around the world – then we may do it 125 per cent in those [countries], because the background circumstances at those states are so different,” he asserts.
“We deliver only ‘secure’ cargo from those (audited) stations to the next transit point, otherwise we would not allow it to fly.”
