Swissport International subsidiary, Checkport has become the first and only Swiss company to obtain the IATA Independent ACC3 EU Validator certification.

ACC3 stands for ‘Air Cargo or Mail Carrier operating into the Union from a Third Country Airport’, a designation required in order for carriers to fly cargo into or through the European Union, Switzerland, Norway or Iceland.

Since July 2014, most carrier stations in third countries have been required to undergo an audit to obtain an EU Aviation Security Validation to acquire or maintain their ACC3 designation.

Checkport is the first Swiss company in the EU database to be listed as an Independent ACC3 EU Validator, allowing it to carry out validations for airlines, logistics companies as well as production companies.

Daniel Steffen, CEO of Checkport Switzerland says: “We are very proud to complete our overall Cargo security competence with the ACC3 certification.”

In order to obtain the ACC3 status, an air carrier needs to submit it relevant air cargo security programme to an Independent ACC3 EU Security Validator.

After verification of the security programme through Checkport, an on-site inspection will take place, and a report will be generated and provided to the appropriate authority of an EU member state, including Switzerland, Norway and Iceland.