Recurring terrorism : a force to be reckoned with : regulating the future of air cargo security

Abstract

Despite the efforts of international organisations and national authorities to secure commercial aviation in the post-September 11 attacks era, the incidence of terror plots and attacks illustrates that terrorists still maintain a high level of interest in attacking aviation. Furthermore, the evolving tactics utilised in these various plots and attacks lead us to believe that regulators suffer from a lack of imagination in anticipating and mitigating existing and emerging threats. Attacking the aviation industry instigates fear and anxiety in the population, whilst possibly paralyzing transportation and trade at both state and international level. While screening is currently mainly focused on passengers, the screening of cargo presents a considerable safety gap in most jurisdictions which terrorists exploit to smuggle weapons, explosives or other dangerous devices onto aircraft. Potential risks associated with air cargo security include the placing of explosive and incendiary devices as cargo aboard aircraft, cargo crime (including theft and smuggling), and aircraft hijackings and sabotage by individuals with access to aircraft. Well-organised, educated and financed terrorist organisations inflict increased pressure on the industry to maintain an adequate safety level. The air cargo system is a complex, multi-faceted network that handles a vast amount of freight, packages, and mail carried aboard passenger and all-cargo aircraft. As such, several procedural initiatives should be implemented and existing measures should be improved with a view to enhancing air cargo security and deterring terrorist and criminal threats.