Worldwide Flight Services (WFS) is the first cargo handler to offer independent certified cargo screening facility (ICSF) locations in more than one State in the United States after its Pittsburgh International Airport, Pennsylvania, operation was certified by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

This follows TSA certification of the WFS facility in Miami, Florida, in January, the first CCSF to be approved in Miami and then only the third in the United States.

WFS operates a 47,240 square foot cargo center in Pittsburgh. Its customers at the airport include Air Canada, American Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta/Northwest Airlines, JetBlue, Southwest Airlines, US Airways, United Airlines and USPS.

Karen Avestruz, WFS's Director, Cargo Security and Compliance, said: 'While we recognize that there is a limited need for the third-party screening facilities right now, we will continue to certify our cargo facilities in anticipation of the August 2010 TSA mandate to screen 100% of all cargo traveling on passenger aircraft. WFS will be well-positioned to provide screening services to our cargo community partners to fully meet this requirement."

TSA is certifying cargo handling facilities in line with the mandate of the 9/11 Commission Recommendations Act of 2007 that required the air cargo industry to screen 50% of cargo on passenger aircraft by February 2009, increasing to 100% screening by August 1, 2010.

The certification from the TSA as an independent cargo screening facility means that WFS is now assisting cargo customers in Miami and Pittsburgh ' and their surrounding areas ' to meet the obligation to screen cargo, eliminating the need for forwarders to invest in screening technology. WFS's independent cargo screening facilities give forwarders the option to deliver pre-screened cargo to the carrier without having to wait in queue at the cargo facility awaiting screening.

WFS plans to open ICSFs in other US cities to assist more small-to-medium forwarders with the cargo screening processes that will become effective in 2010. It is currently working to gain approval for its cargo locations in Philadelphia and Dallas Fort Worth.

The TSA-approved cargo security process includes security screening, cargo build, delivery, maintenance and validation of the security chain of custody for cargo shipments. The WFS facilities in Miami and Pittsburgh are using approved screening technology to expedite shipment processing.