LTAA attains 'Authorized Economic Operator' Status

Customs Authorities Award Certificate and Seal

Lufthansa Technik AERO Alzey (LTAA) has been awarded the status of 'Authorized Economic Operator (AEO)' by the German customs authorities. This certification means that LTAA meet the specific, stringent requirements of customs authorities. LTAA begans preparing for AEO certification early in 2009 and is now among the first companies in the EU, especially in the aviation industry, to receive this quality seal.

As a specialist of logistics solutions for the MRO industry, Lufthansa Technik AERO Alzey considered it only natural that it should undergo the demanding quality inspection by the auditors of the customs authorities. By optaining the certification as 'Authorized Economic operator - Customs Simplifications / Security and Safety', LTAA has proved that it fulfills comprehensive security and safety guidelines laid down by the European Union.

“Our collaboration with the customs authorities went very well and proved very productive. The excellent results achieved by LTAA over the past few years thanks to its exacting security and safety standards and reliable processes have now been rewarded with the AEO status,” says Ralf Schlaak, Head of Locistics at LTAA.

LTAA’s new status means that it will be granted certain simplifications – such as accelerated authorisation processes, fewer customs inspections of goods and documents, and reduced datasets for advance notification prior to import or export – and a higher degree of trust due to its AEO quality seal.

AEO status is valid in all EU member states for an unlimited period of time. A comparable status was first introduced by the United States, and has since begun to spread globally through the World Customs Organization (WCO) with the objective of further improving the safety and security of the international supply chain. Negotiations are currently underway with Switzerland, the United States and a number of Asian countries including China and Japan, in a bid to bring different national security standards into line and ensure that they are mutually recognised.

The long-term objective for all contract parties is to grant all status holders the same advantages across all the countries involved.