Royal Jordanian : obtains RA3 and ACC3 EU Certification for air cargo and mail

Amman, Sep. 7, 2014, Royal Jordanian Airlines has secured 5-year RA3 and ACC3 EU certifications for its cargo operations from Amman to any EU country, starting May 2014.

The security manual defines the standards and security measures implemented to meet regulatory requirements. The basic principle of these certifications is to ensure that all cargo or mail flying into the EU is screened or comes from a secure supply chain.

Starting with July 1, 2014, air carriers that fly air cargo or mail into the EU from a non-EU airport are required to comply with the EU ACC3 program for inbound cargo and mail. The certification - granted by EU-approved and trained validators - provides RJ a distinct advantage over similar air service providers, as the airline's procedures are recognised as being compliant with the EU requirements.

An RA3 is a cargo handling entity located in a third country that is validated and approved as such on the basis of an EU aviation security validation. It is a supply chain security initiative of the European Union. The EU Commission developed this security legislation system for all carriers of cargo from special third country airports into the EU. These regulations are applicable to all air carriers operating with air cargo and mail. 

The aim of the EU Commission requirement is to ensure that certain standards of security are met prior to the loading of cargo on aircraft bound for EU. Therefore, air carriers that intend to carry cargo or mail from certain countries need to be designated as "Air Cargo or Mail Carrier operating into the Union from a Third Country Airport" (ACC3), ensuring that all cargo and mail is physically screened.

Royal Jordanian VP Cargo Sales and Services Muath Majali said: "Transportation of goods by air has become an essential component of today's world economy, as air cargo is a particularly important component in the commercial aspect of the aviation industry. Thus, it is essential to remain vigilant and ensure the security and efficiency of operations in this sector."

Majali added that the attainment of these certifications boosts the airline's prestigious international status in the area of aviation safety, an issue that has always been at the top of the company's pyramid of priorities. This reflects the effectiveness of RJ's operations and the airline's keenness to apply the highest safety standards.

Royal Jordanian has two Airbus A310 dedicated to carrying cargo, each of 35-ton capacity. It also carries cargo in the holds of its passenger aircraft.

The airline's cargo route network has 10 destinations: London, Vienna, Athens, Larnaca, Frankfurt and Algeria, to which it operates one regular weekly flight, and Maastricht, to which it operates four weekly flights, Tel Aviv and Baghdad, two weekly flights, and charter flights to Irbil, Sulaymaniyah and other cities in the world.

Royal Jordanian Cargo unit was awarded the ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management System certification by the International Organisation for Standardisation in appreciation for the airline's efficient cargo sales and services offered.