On Friday May 14th the DGCA (Director General of Civil Aviation) of Indonesia announced to all the airlines and the current warehouse operator they will go ahead with the implementation of the Regulated Agent (RA) as of May 16, 2011 which would restrict screening cargo shipments to only three companies. This resulted in an immediate response by air cargo agents / shippers / express companies who objected to the implementation of RA.

The main objection expressed at that time was that the 3 nominated Regulated Agents were deemed not ' secure ' when compared to the current airport screening and would also cost more money for the unloading and loading process before the cargo could be lodged to the airlines appointed warehouses.

In addition several international airlines likewise objected stating that the level of security particularly after screening was in adequate, with at least one screening location being 3hrs from the airport and that they may not take cargo from JKT if this went ahead. This resulted in the mandatory security checked by the 3 appointed Regulated agents being temporarily suspended for 3 months until 16th August 2011. The problem however has still not been resolved

This week Air freight shipments were hit at Jakarta's international Soekarno-Hatta Airport this week, as hundreds of courier staff staged a walkout protesting over the new inspection regulations. The protest disrupted work at airport warehouses holding goods bound for the domestic market.

A spokesman for the transport ministry stressed that the government wanted to "improve efficiency and security in air transport to conform to the best international practices". While clearly this new screening will create issues, it actually is in alignment with a global change to move towards piece level screening. With this new screening it was also commented that on a dry run last month, a number of firearms and other similar banned items were discovered.

Forwarders and Shippers are hereby advised to maintain a careful watch and expect shipment delays in the coming weeks.