Senior executives in the air cargo industry will get a first hand opportunity to discuss the 'US Transportation Security Administration's proposal to bring forward its 100% screening target to 31 December 2011 when Doug Brittin, TSA's General Manager, Transportation Sector Network Management, addresses The International Air Cargo Association's (TIACA) Executive Summit in Bangkok (April 19-21).


Brittin will give a status update on TSA's proposal, which could apply to all international air cargo shipments to the United States, and discuss the challenges of bringing the deadline forward by two years from 2013. He will also participate in a question and answer session with TIACA delegates.


Michael Steen, Chairman of TIACA, stated: 'Having worked closely with TSA to communicate and support earlier phases of its 100% screening program, we are pleased that the Administration sees value in continuing to talk to the air cargo industry through TIACA. Security is paramount to all operators in the industry and we will actively support any measures that we see as improving safety and security. At the same time, we want new measures to be viable and we need the authorities to understand the additional pressures they place on a vital industry that relies on speed for its place in world trade.


'The best way to ensure all views are heard and considered is through open dialogue with the regulatory bodies so we welcome this opportunity to hear from Doug Brittin and to give our members and delegates the chance to hear more about TSA's plans and ask the questions they want answered.'
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TSA is currently seeking the views of carriers on its proposal. Operators have 30-45 days to comment on the new requirement and TSA has said it will review and evaluate comments from the industry prior to finalizing the requirement. If it goes ahead, the new ruling would require 100 per cent of the cargo that is uplifted on passenger aircraft bound for the United States to be screened by the end of this year.


TIACA's Executive Summit & AGM in Bangkok, sponsored by Worldwide Flight Services (WFS), will also hear presentations discussing an economic overview of Asia, Customs innovation and the progress and challenges in the region, and a regional view of the air cargo industry. Speakers will represent a broad cross-section of the air cargo industry.


An industry affairs update will also be presented by the newly-formed Global Air Cargo Advisory Group (GACAG), which consists of TIACA, IATA, FIATA and the Global Shippers' Forum.