Agents call for clarity over new Acsa permit system

ALAN PEAT
A DECISION by Airports Company of SA (Acsa) not to renew any of the airfreight agents’ expired IDs – because of a new system due to take effect on July 7 – is causing confusion in the industry. It would appear that discussions are still under way between industry bodies - the SA Association of Freight Forwarders (Saaff) and the Air Cargo Operators’ Committee (Acoc) - and Acsa, with the SA Revenue Service (Sars) customs also monitoring what is happening. However, Saaff directors declined to comment at this juncture, and the airfreight agents’ complaints have not been officially clarified. However, certain parties who have also attended previous meetings have told FTW their personal interpretations of the issue. At a previous meeting with Acsa about the new permit system, one source said, “some serious concerns” came to light “All current Acsa IDs – that is the non-colour-coded versions - will have to be replaced between June 19 and July 7,” he said. “Any IDs that have not been changed will be confiscated - and the same ruling applied to tenants at the foreign airlines building.” One of the concerns, he added, was the belief that any freight forwarder who does not have an office located in foreign airlines will not be receiving any new IDs. “How will the freight forwarders draw their cargo as handlers and airlines will not accept the current SA ID/driver’s licence identification due to a fraud aspect? “Also, all freight forwarders will have to sign in/out of the foreign airlines building from July 7. This will cause congestion in an already congested area, with the road infrastructure not being able to cope with the delayed access into foreign airlines.” During the discussion, it would appear that Acsa again made it known that the decision was taken already - and they would not entertain any extension for the industry (Saaff and Acoc) to come up with a solution. Our aviation source also felt it was clearly a case of the industry not being given sufficient time to adjust to a changed programme, or to allow for an additional or amended permit system for the identification of the freight forwarders’ staff members. “We now have two weeks to come up with a solution,” he said, “or we will face meltdown.” He said that Sars had also raised concern about the stopping of persons and/or vehicles. “How will they know who the individual works for if he has no company or Acsa ID? “The airport operators stated clearly that no Acsa IDs would be re-issued, regardless – something mandated by the board.” A cargo handling executive was also unhappy with what he suggested was a take it or leave it situation. “We cannot allow Acsa just to dictate to the industry without consultation,” he said.