Security ‘double standards’

EUROPEAN carriers are calling on the US to fully recognise Europe’s air cargo security standards to “remove unnecessary duplication”.
The Association of European Airlines (AEA) believes mutual recognition would streamline the flow of trade and maintain high security standards.
AEA’s secretary general, Ulrich Schulte-Strathaus, states: “At the moment, European airlines have to seek cargo security approval on both sides of the Atlantic.
“We are calling on US regulators to accept Europe’s robust security standards as equal to their own. This will simplify processes for airlines and remove unnecessary duplication.”
Research shows about nine per cent of the world’s total freight is carried over the North Atlantic.
Finland, France, Ireland, the Netherlands and the UK have recently finalised cargo recognition agreements with the US.
Schulte-Strathaus, who wants to see a mutually beneficial “single, comprehensive EU-US deal”, in place adds: “These audits should give the US confirmation, if it is really needed, that European regulators take air cargo security extremely seriously.”