#INTHEAIREVERYWHERE

Ram Menen
Divisional Senior Vice President Cargo
Emirates Airlines

     I was on a flight from LHR to LAX. The flight got turned around as we were entering Canadian air space and was diverted to Cardiff, Wales, U.K.
     Inflight, we had no clue what was happening. All we were told was that the aircraft was turning back; U.S. air space was closed as it was compromised. It was after we landed in Cardiff that I came to know about the horrific acts. My initial reaction was of disbelief and then the reality hit that an airplane was used as a weapon and the thought that crossed my mind, apart from sadness, was that this will change the way the aviation industry operates!
     This has not only changed the air cargo business but also has affected commercial aviation/transportation as a whole. Flying will never be the same again!
     Safety and security, for Emirates SkyCargo, has always been high priority within our operations. On top of our own stringent security processes, we have worked with the industry and have made sure that we are in compliance with all (the constantly changing!) requirements that the various regulatory authorities have imposed on our industry.
     Every element involved in the supply chain industry has to take responsibility and accountability for securing the cargo while in their custody. The Secure Freight program, which is facilitated by IATA, is a good way forward. Prior information/intel will also play a key role in securing the transportation chain—to this extent e-Freight will help achieve this objective.