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Indian air cargo agents protest US security rules

Indian air cargo agents have stopped loading cargo on US airlines to protest against a US security declaration making them responsible for the contents of shipments, the Indian agents' association said on Friday.

Under US Federal Aviation Administration rules, cargo agents have to sign a declaration which puts the onus of ensuring the security of freight on the agents.

Cargo agents say the declaration puts a huge monetary and legal liability on them.

"We cannot take responsibility for cargo sent by each and every shipper, opening it and making sure of contents," said Cyrus Katgarhia, a member of the Air Cargo Agents Association of India.

"Agents will not issue security declarations on cargo," added P M U Menon, president of the 160-member agents association.

The protest has affected three US airlines operating from India -- United Airlines, Delta Airlines and Northwest Airlines.

The airlines received a shot in the arm from an Indian government order last month asking cargo agents to sign similar security declarations for all cargo flying out of India.

India's bureau of civil aviation security said it was merely copying standard international practice by asking cargo agents and freight forwarders to become part of a "regulated agents" scheme.

The agents association said it had challenged the government's decision in the Bombay High Court. The case is slated to be heard next week.

US airlines, which are flying out with near empty cargo holds since the protest began last month, have taken different stands on the issue.

United, which operates a double daily service to New Delhi, said it is not insisting on the security declaration at the moment.

"United is doing X-rays and physical checks on cargo, which means agents and forwarders don't have to sign the security declaration," said Michael Purchon, general manager for India, United Airlines. "So, we're carrying cargo out of India."

Purchon said he hoped the Indian government would be able to enforce the mandatory security declaration.

Northwest Airlines, which operates 14 flights a week to India, said it would not accept shipments from agents who refused to sign the declaration.

"Why shouldn't agents be responsible for the cargo they pass on to airlines? We're talking about the safety of 300 passengers over here," Brian Mutton, the airline's cargo director, said.

Mutton said a number of cargo agents were complying with Northwest's condition and shipping their cargo with the airline.

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