JEDDAH, 6 January 2007 -- Saudi Arabia will introduce a regulated air cargo agents system on May 26, the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) announced yesterday. It urged companies and agents intending to win authorized air cargo agent permits to fulfill certain security and operational conditions and requirements.

The GACA said the new system would facilitate air cargo services as the cargo and packages of authorized companies and agents would be taken aboard civilian and commercial aircraft without further checking.

"In accordance with the new authorized air cargo program, all companies and agents providing the service must obtain air cargo permits that will allow them to ship their packages and consignments without undergoing double and complicated security measures at airport cargo facilities," the authority said in a statement.

Spelling out the requirements and security conditions to be fulfilled by an air cargo agent to win the regulated cargo contract, the GACA said they should have at least one scanning machine, apply security bands to tie the cargo, should have secure warehouses with close-circuit television monitoring systems and guards.

Companies and agents intending to win the license should also provide sealed trucks for cargo transport, and employ trained Saudis. They should also fulfill the security and safety conditions set by the Civil Defense and Public Security for their buildings and warehouses, the statement said. "The new program is introduced in line with the recommendations of the International Civil Aviation Organization and meet the conditions of the National Program for Civil Aviation Security," said Abdullah Ruhaimy, president of the authority.

He said the new program is in the interest of the licensed air cargo agents as well as the air transport companies and security agencies responsible for aviation security. "This will ensure maximum security and protection for air cargo carriers and reduce the difficulties of cargo agents," he added.

Ruhaimy said those companies and agents who do not want to obtain an authorized agent permit would not be able to ship their cargo directly. "Unauthorized agents can ship their cargo only through authorized agents," he added.

Abdul Hameed Aba Al-Arry, director of aviation security at GACA, said the authority would start receiving applications for the new authorized air cargo agent permit soon after the Eid Al-Adha holiday. "Interested agents should approach the air cargo security department to get the form and a booklet listing the conditions to be fulfilled by them," he said. The GACA will hold a seminar on the new licensing program on Jan. 15 at its headquarters in Jeddah.

Airline companies have welcomed the long-awaited system. "This will certainly facilitate air cargo service and strengthen aviation security in the Kingdom," said Saleem Kaniyantavida, Air France cargo manager for Saudi Arabia. He said the system is already in force in Europe and the United States.

By P.K. Abdul Ghafour

© Arab News 2007