Checkport, a subsidiary of Swissport International Ltd, is the first and only Swiss company having obtained the IATA certification "Independent ACC3 EU Validator" and may from now on carry out third country validations for air carriers.

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, including Switzerland, Norway and Iceland. Since July 2014, most carrier stations in third countries (non-EU countries) are required to have undergone an audit to obtain an EU Aviation Security Validation to acquire or maintain their ACC3 designation.

Checkport has been listed as the first Swiss company in the EU database as an "Independent ACC3 EU Validator" since Monday, 21 January 2019. With immediate effect, Checkport can carry out validations for airlines, logistic companies and as well as production companies worldwide.

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

In order to obtain the ACC3 status, an air carrier needs to submit its relevant air cargo security program to an independent ACC3 EU Security Validator. After verification of the security program through Checkport, an on-site inspection will take place. Finally, a report will be generated and provided to the appropriate authority of an EU Member state, including Switzerland, Norway and Iceland.

Swissport International AG, on behalf of more than 850 client-companies, provides best-in-class airport ground services for some 282 million passengers annually and handles approximately 4.8 million tons of air cargo at 122 warehouses world- wide. With a workforce of some 66,000 the world’s leading provider of ground and air cargo services is active at 300 airports in 50 countries on six continents. In 2017 the Group generated a consolidated operating revenue of EUR 2.8 billion.