Chennai airport scrambles to meet EU norms

Chennai Airport is yet to comply with the European Commission’s new security standards for air cargo.

Unless it meets the standards soon, air cargo to the EU could be affected starting July 1.

Following the cargo plane explosion at Yemen in October 2010 and the risk of explosive devices being introduced into the global supply chain, the Commission had in 2012 urged air carriers flying cargo and mail into the EU from non-EU countries to ensure that certain security standards were put in place prior to loading of the aircraft.

These were to be designated ACC3 — “air cargo or mail carrier operating into the Union from a third country airport”.

Under the regulation ACC3s must get the cargo and mail security-checked by an independent validator certified by a EU regulator. Air cargo cannot land in EU without the security clearance certificate.

However, according to J Krishnan, Chairman, Logistics Committee, Madras Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Chennai airport is yet to be verified by the EU Commission on the new regulation while private airports at Bangalore and Hyderabad and other major airports have complied.

If the airport misses the deadline, cargo could be diverted to these airports.

Chennai airport does not have the necessary security equipment like x-ray machines that can do dual scans of top and bottom of the cargo.

Further, there is no proper operating security environment and validation process as per EU Commission norms. Shortage of certifying agents coming from EU will aggravate the situation, he said. This issue was discussed at the recent cargo facilitation committee meeting in which airport officials and representatives from airlines and cargo agents were present. Airport authorities said the equipment would arrive on time.

However, Krishnan said machines are not readily available, and if ordered, will take three to four months to be delivered.

A senior official of the Chennai airport, however, said the tender has been issued to procure necessary equipment. “We are gearing up to meet the deadline.”

Nearly 30 per cent of the total air cargo handled at Chennai goes to the EU. A huge volume of cargo to the US also transits EU. Both could be suspended if the new regulation is not met, said an official of a foreign airline who did not want to be named.

All capital expenditure to upgrade the Chennai cargo complex were put on hold due to privatisation moves and this has affected the cargo terminal. Chennai airport has lost 20 per cent of air cargo to Bangalore due to issues such as poor infrastructure and connectivity, he said.