Digital Pulse: Qstep brings Helsinki into ICS2 compliance

Tallinn, Estonia-based software company Qstep implemented a new import control system at Helsinki-Vantaa Airport to comply with European regulations that went into effect July 1. [caption id="attachment_57137766" align="alignright" width="300"] (Photo/HEL)[/caption] The Import Control System 2 (ICS2) requires carriers and forwarders to digitally submit detailed descriptions of their cargo before entering E.U. countries. This regulation has been in effect for postal and express goods since March 2021, enforced by the European Commission (EC) and each member state’s customs authority. Qstep announced Wednesday that it successfully implemented the ICS2 at Finland’s Helsinki-Vantaa Airport (HEL), the country’s main air cargo hub. Qstep provides support to ASR Cargo Center and Swissport Finland — two out of the three cargo handling agents at HEL, according to a release. “ICS2 is a really complex information system,” Qstep Chief Executive Haiti Arendi said in the release. “It affects and involves all modes of transport, air cargo supply chain members now included, from freight forwarders to airlines and cargo ground handlers. Since Qstep air cargo handling software platform provides everything in one window, it was our task to make sure that our cargo handling clients at HEL are also compliant with ICS2 regulation.” ASR Cargo Managing Director Samuli Naskali said gathering information from carriers for ICS2 procedures proved a challenge due to time constraints and multiple softwares. Avianca Cargo joins Airblox Medellin, Colombia-based Avianca Cargo on Tuesday joined online cargo market hub Airblox ’ s B2B marketplace platform, where forwarders can manage airfreight capacity needs through electronic block space agreements. Avianca Cargo’s air cargo capacity is now available on the Airblox platform, where customers have access to booking avenues and information about the carrier’s upcoming capacity, according to a release from Airblox. “We want to continue finding new ways to do business and offer different and innovative solutions to our customers,” Leonel Ortiz , innovation and transformation director at Avianca Cargo, said in the release. “This alliance will allow us to continue to deliver high levels of service and greater flexibility when it comes to our capacity and lanes.” FAA accepts Reliable Robotics’ certification plan The FAA has formally accepted California-based aircraft automation system company Reliable Robotics ’ certification plan for its fully automated aircraft. The Reliable autonomous flight system enables continuous autopilot engagement through all phases of aircraft operation, including taxi, takeoff and landing, according to a release from Reliable. “Reliable is the only company that has reached this critical point, positioning them as the clear front-runner in the FAA certification process for autonomous aircraft,” Eric Schulz , former Rolls-Royce and Airbus executive, said in the release. “Reliable’s automation system will make aviation even safer and provide more affordable air transportation for cargo and passengers anytime, anywhere.” The certification plan uses existing regulations for normal and transport category aircraft and does not require any special conditions or exemptions. “This agreement concludes many years of effort with the FAA to rigorously determine how autonomous systems will be integrated into aircraft,” Juerg Frefel , co-founder and chief technology officer of Reliable Robotics, said in the release. “Working within current rules enables us — and the FAA — to move faster and continue to improve the high levels of safety we have come to expect in aviation.” Join Air Cargo Next for its second annual Air Cargo Tech Summit on Sept. 18-19 in Brussels, sponsored by Unisys and Brussels Airport and featuring a fireside chat with Brian Hodges, managing director, American Airlines Cargo. For more details and to register, click here .

Digital Pulse: Qstep brings Helsinki into ICS2 compliance

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