NZ carriers pass security costs to forwarders

NEW security measures imposed by New Zealand’s Civil Aviation Authority are already leading to increased charges on cargo.

International cargo operations manager for Air New Zealand, Jon Calder, said this week that the carrier would add an additional per kilogram charge to cover the cost of conforming to the regulations. It is to levy a new minimum charge of NZ$15 for all cargo shipments or 2c a kg plus a screening fee of 5c a kg.

“Air New Zealand understands that this is a significant transition for the cargo industry and our customers,” he said explaining that the airline had had to invest in cargo-screening staff and equipment, such as x-ray, trace detection and explosive detection dogs.

DHL estimates that the regulations will add approximately NZ$600,000, which it also intends to pass onto its freight-forwarder cusstomers.