Aviapartner first handler in the world to obtain prestigious new Aviation Security certification TACSS

After considerable preparation, Aviapartner is proud to announce that it received the prestigious new Aviation Security certicification TACSS (TAPA Air Cargo Security Standards) for its Brussels Cargo site. Luc Clauwaert, Group Security Manager of Aviapartner, received this TACSS certification on 8 March, during the TAPA Conference of 2012 held in Bucharest.

This new security standard will  become the determining factor in Air Cargo security processes. Aviapartner Brussels is the first handling site to comply with the requirements of this new certification. Aviapartner Group will apply this standard to all of its Cargo stations before end 2012.

As announced in September last year, Aviapartner invested substantial time and effort in complying with the new TACSS Air Cargo Security Standard, especially in physical security and more stringent procedures controlling in- and outgoing flow of goods. This standard is developed by TAPA (Transported Asset Protection Association) organization that unites 600 members, global manufacturers, logistics providers, freight carriers and law enforcement agencies. Mid February, Aviapartner successfully passed the first TACSS audit in its Brussels Cargo site with flying colours.

TACSS is the first security standard that has been developed specifically for air cargo. It introduces best practices on Security and Loss prevention and combines them with the existing legal requirements in the field of Aviation Security, hence strengtening the obtained  level of Security of each location. Previously Aviapartner worked closely together with other ground handlers and TAPA to bring TACSS to its final format.

Aviapartner’s  Brussels Cargo site handles 200,000 tons per year, employs around 300 people and serves, among others, prestigious customers as Singapore Airlines, Saoudi Arabian Airlines, Eva Air, Qatar, Cathay Pacific and Thai Airways.

This year, other major airports, where Aviapartner is present, will follow and go for TACSS certification: starting with Amsterdam, Frankfurt and Liège.

“Security is a world in constant change as we have to respond to external and internal challenges”, emphasizes Luc Clauwaert, Aviapartner’s Group Security Manager. “Being and staying ahead of these challenges is part of our daily commitment to our employees, customers and society”.