Air cargo securityClosing gaping cargo security holes prohibitively expensive
The technology exists to safeguard the world’s air-transport system against threats such as the Yemen-based mail bombs, but the cost may be too high to be practical; swabbing packages individually for explosives is considered the most effective way to scan, but this is not a practical option for the millions of packages that crisscross the globe every day; the cost of these machines would likely be in the billions of dollars, and would be economically impossible for some countries
Thorough cargo inspection remains a stiff challenge // Source: cnet.com
Analysts warn that the cost of screening every piece of air cargo in a bid to prevent terrorists from downing airliners might bankrupt international shipping companies, hobble already weakened airlines and still not provide full protection.
“In a worst case, it would stop world trade,” said James Halstead, a longtime consultant with the Aviation Economics firm. “UPS and FedEx would probably go bust. We’d have a full-disaster scenario.” The cost of the extra effort, he said, “would be almost too much to consider.”
Gregory Katz writes in the Seattle Times that Halstead said that many countries already conduct extensive checks of cargo. The increasingly sophisticated technology used by terrorist groups, however, makes further refinements extremely difficult. Authorities “do as much checking as they can in many places, but it’s the danger of these small items that is the problem,” he said.
The problem is compounded by the frequent use of passenger flights to carry cargo, some of which has not been properly screened.
In last week’s narrowly averted plot, one device almost slipped through Britain and the other seized in Dubai was unwittingly flown on two passenger jets.
Investigators were still piecing together the potency and construction of the two bombs, which they believed were designed by the top explosives expert working for al Qaeda in the Arabian peninsula, the Yemen-based faction thought to be behind the plot.
More than half of the cargo flown into the United States comes via passenger planes, making cargo bombs a tempting way for terror groups to attack civilian passengers.
As of 1 August, all cargo on passengers planes in the United States is required to be screened. It is estimated that the new rule will cost $700 million and require 9,000 employees in just the first year, according to the Airforwarders Association.
Katz notes that currently, American authorities do not get details about what is on a cargo plane until four hours before it is supposed to land in the United States. Once it lands, officials physically screen packages that warrant a closer look based on intelligence.
Jayson Ahern, former acting commissioner of Customs and Border Protection, said new rules should be adopted to ensure that the United States gets information on what cargo planes are carrying before they leave for the United States.
Having the information before the plane leaves would give officials a chance to flag packages that might require extra attention.
The Yemen-based branch of al Qaeda has expanded
