Air cargo: Lufthansa responds to U.S. security mandate

Patrick Burnson, Executive Editor -- Logistics Management, 9/8/2008

FRANKFURT, Germany—Air cargo shippers mindful of the U.S. congressional mandate for 50 percent screening early next year, have been clamoring for industry solutions. At least one carrier seems to have heard them.

According to spokesmen for Lufthansa Cargo, the airline will install explosives detectors in all U.S. destinations it serves.

At the beginning of 2009, Lufthansa Cargo will take over responsibility for the business activities of its wholly owned subsidiary—Cargo Counts—which has operated as an independent company since September 2003.

“Within the context of a merger with Lufthansa Cargo, the supplier of Total Cargo Management (TCM) will be dissolved at the end of the year,” said spokesmen.

Lufthansa Cargo is also expanding its security measures in the US.

The airline has transformed its bases in Chicago and Los Angeles into “Security Hubs” by installing physical access barriers, comprehensive video surveillance, explosive detection equipment, biometric checks and security guard patrols.

The news was greeted with enthusiasm by some shippers who regarded the move a signal to other carriers.

“This showed real leadership on Lufthansa’s part,” said Richard Macomber, air cargo committee chair for the National Industrial Transportation League (NITL). “A lot of the other airlines have been complaining about the new regulations, but have been slow to do anything about them.”

Lufthansa Cargo has already converted its bases in Frankfurt, Munich, New York and Shanghai into Security Hubs. Lufthansa Cargo will also install explosive trace detection systems, which can detect various types of explosives concealed within shipments, at New York, Newark, Boston, Philadelphia, Washington DC, Detroit, Charlotte, Orlando, Miami, Houston, Chicago, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Atlanta, Denver, San Francisco, Portland, Seattle and Los Angeles.

The new explosives detection equipment will be in place well ahead of the law requiring that 50 percent of all cargo must be screened by next February.  

Shippers, meanwhile, will have to get ready for 100 percent screening by August 2010.