TSA adds new security measures

Since the recent gun smuggling operation carried out by baggage handlers at Atlanta airport, the Transportation Security Administration has implemented stricter security regulations for airline and airport workers.

Homeland Security’s Jeh Johnson ordered a 90-day review of security measures in the immediate aftermath of the operation and the TSA is no addressing some of the concerns the review has highlighted. Among the changes announced April 20 are new rules requiring real-time, recurring criminal background checks for aviation workers, including airline employees. Every two years fingerprint-based background checks will also be conducted for airport employees who hold Secure Identification Display Area badges. Airport and airline workers traveling as passengers will also have to go through TSA screening before boarding a flight and the number of access points to secure areas will be reduced to an “operational minimum,” Johnson reportedly said.

Napping baggage handler banned by Alaska

Unsurprisingly, the baggage handler who fell asleep inside an Alaska Airlines cargo hold during his shift will not be making the same mistake twice. Alaska Airlines has reported that the unnamed handler has been banned from working for the airline in the future. Menzies Aviation, a contractor for the airline and employer of the perpetrator, has said the unidentified man is still with the company but has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of its investigation.

Emirates SkyCargo set to expand in the US

Emirates SkyCargo plans to launch a daily service to from Dubai to Orlando, Florida, as of September 1, expanding its US cargo network to 11 destinations.

The new route will be operated by a Boeing 777-200 LR, which has a belly hold capacity of up to 17 tonnes of cargo per flight. This comes in addition to Emirates SkyCargo’s belly hold cargo services to San Francisco, Seattle, Washington DC, Boston, Dallas, New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Houston, with the latter four cities also comprising part of the carrier’s US freighter network, along with Atlanta.

Nabil Sultan, Emirates Divisional Senior Vice President, Cargo, said of the expansion: “With the addition of Orlando to the Emirates SkyCargo network, we will now serve 11 points across the US, giving us good connectivity to serve our customers both within the country and across our network. Last year we carried more than 100,000 tonnes of cargo to and from the United States, facilitating foreign trade and opportunities between the world’s largest economy and markets within our network, mainly in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.”

Emirates Cargo expects exports from Orlando to include aircraft parts, pharmaceuticals, perfume and machine parts, while imports are likely to be electronics, garments, automotive spare parts, aircraft spare parts, construction equipment, hospital instruments and equipment.

EPIC and UAS launch collaborative fuel program

UAS International Trip Support and EPIC Aviation have announced the launch of their fuel program components, which will be a great value-add to their customers.

The details of the project became available to customers, who’ve been anticipating information regarding the enhanced programs since its announcement in February. Tailored UAS pricing has now been merged into the EPIC system, enabling EPIC Cardholders to fuel at more than 3,000 international locations.

Jay Husary, Executive Vice President of UAS, said of the venture: “This is an important step for this fuel program and great news for EPIC Cardholders. They no longer have to thumb through a stack of credit cards, trying to determine the best method of payment at FBOs overseas – plus they get the added value of enhanced trip support and expertise from an established network.”