Department of Homeland Security Revokes Security Program Approval Of Indirect Air Carrier
News & Happenings
September 14, 2006
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) today announced that it revoked the security program approval for Capital Exports, Inc. (Capital), an Indirect Air Carrier (IAC) based in Sterling, Va., because Capital does not meet security standards established by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
TSA Assistant Secretary Kip Hawley said, "TSA is increasing efforts to identify freight forwarders that have a history of non-compliance with security requirements. We have prohibited five companies in the last six months from tendering cargo for transport on passenger planes including this revocation today."
In the case of Capital Exports, Inc. there were numerous violations of TSA security requirements. On multiple occasions Capital accepted shipments from undercover TSA inspectors posing as unknown shippers, and tendered those shipments for transport on passenger aircraft. Currently, cargo from unknown shippers may not be transported on passenger aircraft. Capital was notified today that it will no longer be permitted to tender cargo for transport on passenger aircraft.
Passenger air carriers operating in the Washington, D.C. area, as well as throughout the nation, have been notified not to accept cargo from Capital. Any passenger air carrier that accepts cargo from a non-TSA approved Indirect Air Carrier may face a civil fine of up to $25,000 per violation.
In recent months, TSA has revoked the approval of Professional Export Services, a Minneapolis-based IAC, and Inter-Shipping Corporation based in Miami. In addition, TSA denied the re-approval of Aramex International Courier, which has operations in New York and the Washington, D.C. area. The revocation of Capital's security program represents the seventh such action taken against IACs since 2002.
DHS and TSA also announced that it is working with air carriers to ensure 100 percent of all counter-to-counter, or express delivery, air cargo is inspected prior to being placed onboard passenger aircraft.
While TSA has previously screened most small packages targeted for transport on a specific flight, new measures mandate the formerly voluntary requirement that air carriers provide 100 percent of counter-to-counter or express delivery cargo to TSA for screening. TSA security officers will screen these items to the same standards - using the same equipment - as checked baggage.
In the last year, TSA implemented a series of air cargo security improvements including issuing an air cargo rule, increased canine inspections, aggressive enforcement actions, perpetual vetting of airport staff with access to secure areas, increased random inspections, covert testing and the hiring of 100 additional cargo inspectors.
The threat level for the aviation sector remains at orange or high. TSA will continue to evaluate threats, vulnerabilities and the suite of countermeasures in effect for all segments of the transportation system and make adjustments as appropriate.
