San Francisco International Airport selected for air cargo screening program

By Angela Hokanson, Bay City News Service

March 31, 2006

SAN FRANCISCO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (BCN) - San Francisco International Airport is one of three venues chosen by the Department of Homeland Security to participate in a new air cargo screening program, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom announced today.

The program is being launched to "develop effective and efficient protocols and procedures for the screening of air cargo for explosive devices and other dangerous items,'' according to San Francisco International Airport officials.

The screening methods developed at the airport have the potential to become mandatory Transportation Security Administration procedures for all air cargo shipped from U.S. airports.

"I am pleased that the Department of Homeland Security has recognized SFO's reputation for being an industry leader in safety and security and selected this airport as the site of this long overdue and critical project," Newsom said. "This project is great news for everyone in the Bay Area.''

The Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory will partner with the airport on the new program.

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