Global K9 expanding ops to 11 UK airports

Canine detection company Global K9 Protection Group has laid the groundwork to expand operations into eleven airports in the United Kingdom beginning this year. Opelika, Ala.-based Global K9 uses dogs’ heightened sense of smell to screen cargo for potential hazards such as drugs, explosives and lithium batteries . [caption id="attachment_57149484" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] A Global K9 Protection Group trainer runs drills with a canine. (Courtesy/Global K9)[/caption] “In the U.K., we bought a company there, so we have the platform and the facility,” Global K9 President and CEO Eric Hare told Cargo Facts at AirCargo Conference 2025 in Dallas this month. “We're starting out with [ground handler] WFS at Heathrow Airport (LHR), but we're expanding to all eleven, and that's the big piece.” Global K9 provides canine cargo screening for WFS across the United States and is also increasing operations with ground handlers dnata and Swissport, Hare said. Global K9 began its expansion into Europe last year with operations in the Netherlands, facilitated by KLM Royal Dutch Airlines . After it completes the U.K. expansion, Global K9 aims to move into Belgium, Hare said. Global K9 is in the process of buying a company in Maastricht, which is close to the Netherlands’ border with Belgium, he said. To expand into new countries, Global K9 must pass each nation’s certifications, comply with different regulations and register the company in that country, among other requirements. “Each government has different systems,” Hare said. “In Holland, the Dutch military police control it and they certify you. “In the U.K., it's the [Defence Science and Technology Laboratory] program and the [Civil Aviation Authority],” he said. “That's through the government, and that was not bad at all.” After Belgium, Global K9 may expand into Dubai and Singapore, Hare said. U.S. operations Global K9 trains canine units to help meet TSA-determined cargo screening standards put into place in 2022 . Three years ago, Global K9 became the first company to be TSA-certified to provide certified cargo screening with canines. “We're held to a third-party canine program policy and that policy is changing,” Hare said. “That's one of the biggest changes coming this year.” [caption id="attachment_57149485" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] A Global K9 Protection Group canine and his trainer inspect cargo for dangerous goods. (Courtesy/Global K9)[/caption] While the new policy is stricter regarding canine and handler training, Global K9 has already been complying with about 98% of it, Hare said. As for policies changing further, “it’s all about safety and security ... so, we're fine with it,” Hare said. He said he has been in close contact with legislators to promote aviation safety. Hare has had “dinner with President Trump [and other elected officials], and part of the discussion is about reestablishing the Aviation Security Advisory Committee and trying to get nominated to get placed on that as the security adviser for the canine piece,” he said. Across the United States, more than 1,950 canine teams trained by Global K9 operate in 162 cities. Global K9 is doing a four-month pilot program with U.S. Customs & Border Protection in California to detect illegal drugs , specifically fentanyl, Hare said. Register now for Cargo Facts' essential regional events for industry stakeholders: Cargo Facts Asia 2025 on March 24-26 at the W Shanghai in China; and Cargo Facts EMEA 2025 on May 6-8 at the Shangri-La Bosphorus in Turkey.

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