Legislation would require screening of 100 percent of cargo carried on all-cargo aircraft

Washington, D.C. – Rep. Edward J. Markey (D-MA), author of the 2007 law that requires 100% screening of all air cargo transported on domestic passenger planes and all international passenger planes entering the United States, today introduced the Air Cargo Security Act to expand the 100% screening mandate to aircraft that carry only cargo.

Following the recent thwarted attempt by Al Qaeda terrorists based in Yemen to ship explosives on cargo planes, Markey introduced legislation to ensure that cargo planes do not become a delivery device for bombs meant to harm our nation.

“Al Qaeda continues to put aviation at the top of its terrorist target list, and our nation must close the cargo loophole that continues to put lives and our economy at risk. While we now require screening of 100% of air cargo transported on passenger planes, the thwarted Yemen bombing plot demonstrates that Al Qaeda is turning its attention to less protected all-cargo aircraft.  Accordingly, we must respond through strengthened security measures,” Markey said.

“On September 11, 2001, Al Qaeda used box cutters; today, they are using boxes on all-cargo planes. We ignore this warning at our great peril,” Markey concluded.

The Air Cargo Security Act strengthens security by directing the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to:

Develop a system to screen 100 percent of cargo transported on all-cargo aircraft within 3 years, with half of the cargo screened within 18 months;

Establish a system for the regular inspection of shipping facilities for shipments of air cargo transported on all-cargo planes for purposes of ensuring that appropriate security controls, systems, and protocols are observed; and

Enter into arrangements with government authorities of foreign countries to ensure that inspections are conducted on a regular basis at shipping facilities for cargo transported in air transportation to the United States.

Captain Bob Thrush, President of the Independent Pilots Association, which represents the 2,600 professional airline pilots of United Parcel Service (UPS) Airlines, issued the following statement in support of the Air Cargo Security Act:

“As all-cargo airline pilots, we welcome Rep. Markey's introduction of new legislation which will increase air cargo security screening standards.  Recently, we narrowly avoided a potentially devastating detonation of an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) onboard an all-cargo jet.

“Not only does this jeopardize the lives of the pilots flying the transport-category aircraft, but also those persons on the ground under the flight path.  By acting now to shore up gaping holes in the screening process, we reduce the likelihood of terrorist organizations being successful in their efforts to bring down an all-cargo aircraft over a major U.S. city.”

And Captain Paul Onorato, President the Coalition of Airline Pilots Association (CAPA), which represents more than 28,000 professional pilots, joined in support for the Air Cargo Security Act with the following statement:

“Cargo aircraft pilots are exposed to terrorist explosives, and cargo aircraft can be a threat to personnel and materiel on the ground. We continue to advocate for one level of security for all commercial flights and we are concerned that all-cargo aircraft could be targeted for terrorist attacks in the same manner as passenger aircraft. CAPA will continue to work closely with Congressman Markey to close the air cargo loophole in aviation security, and we welcome his legislation.”

Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) is planning to introduce companion air cargo screening legislation this week.

Full text of the Air Cargo Security Act is forthcoming.

A Dear Colleague Letter sent to fellow House members can be found HERE .

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