The advisory further highlights the importance of strict access control to cargo handling areas to prevent unauthorised interference
The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) has issued a new advisory aimed at strengthening security measures for cargo and mail, particularly for items weighing over 500 grams, before they are loaded onto commercial aircraft. The move is intended to prevent any potential threats that could interfere with civil aviation operations.
The advisory reiterates the responsibilities of Regulated Agents and Aircraft Operators—both domestic and international—in ensuring that all cargo and mail are thoroughly checked. While the security protocols themselves are not new, the BCAS stresses the need for stricter and more meticulous implementation of these procedures when accepting and screening cargo.
Under the advisory, agents and operators must ensure that the contents of each shipment match the descriptions provided in the shipping documents. This includes conducting visual inspections or profiling the shipments to check for any signs of tampering.
“All concerned stakeholders shall also enhance vigilance for shipments originating from areas deemed high risk and consider applying multiple screening methods,” the advisory stated. These screening methods should include both x-ray scans and physical searches, while cargo and mail must be escorted by security personnel until they are loaded onto the aircraft.
The advisory further highlights the importance of strict access control to cargo handling areas to prevent unauthorised interference. Industry experts believe that the advisory has been issued in response to the recent “pager detonation” incidents in Lebanon.
J Krishnan, from the Chennai-based freight forwarding company Natesa Iyer LLC, noted that while the advisory outlines the steps to be followed, it does not specify minimum equipment standards to enforce these measures, leaving much to individual discretion.
“This will vary significantly depending on the qualifications of ground personnel who are tasked with screening. Terminal operators might also influence the perception of their cargo operations to avoid being seen as overly strict,” he said.
Krishnan also pointed out that while x-ray scanning can provide some level of security, it should ideally be supplemented with hand-held spectrophotometers to detect plastic explosives. However, these devices have limitations as they must be held close to the parcel to be effective, and plastic explosives, like PETN, are difficult to detect through conventional methods due to their low vaporization.
“Unless there’s significant investment in state-of-the-art detection equipment and a revamp of the security process, vulnerabilities will remain,” Krishnan added. He suggested that airports could combine x-ray scanning with chemical swab tests to improve detection capabilities.
The advisory comes in the wake of pager explosions in Lebanon and Syria, which have raised alarms within the global logistics industry. According to security expert R. Vittal Raj, the use of PETN (Pentaerythritol tetranitrate) in these incidents has brought attention back to the challenge of detecting such explosives, as they evade conventional detection techniques.
“The pager explosions have highlighted the risk posed by PETN and other similar explosives. Now, every mobile phone, electronic device, or communication equipment could be a potential threat,” Raj said. He emphasized the need for integrating artificial intelligence into threat detection systems to better anticipate and respond to evolving risks.
As aviation security faces increasing challenges, the BCAS advisory underscores the need for continuous vigilance and enhanced screening methods to safeguard civil aviation against emerging threats.
