Garbett offers reassurance on air cargo security regulations

WITH PART 108 of the civil aviation security regulations on the horizon, concerns have been raised about how this will affect the industry. Bob Garbett, president of the Business Aviation Association of South Africa (Baasa), shattered some of these myths by offering solutions to apprehensions at last week’s Ciltsa airfreight conference in Gauteng. Addressing concerns about the need to purchase expensive X-ray machines, he said X-ray or other technical means was only one of the toolbox of security controls. On the accreditation issue, Garbett assured delegates that there would be a one-year phase-in period and that there was therefore no need for them to feel pressured. However, the regulations will affect carriers’ liability insurance because if there is a breach of security, insurers will not be liable. Ultimately Garbett offered his reassurance that the transition and cost of adhering to the regulations would be minimal.