Dispute looms over cargo X-ray machine located at Paris's Charles de Gaulle Airport

El Al and Arkia are in dispute over the use of the cargo X-ray machine since Arkia declared its intention to enter the international air freight market
 
Israeli officials confirmed last week that El Al Israel Airlines Ltd. is objecting to allow Arkia Airlines Ltd. to use its cargo X-ray machine located at Paris's Charles de Gaulle International Airport.
 
The cargo X-ray equipment was paid for by Israeli security agencies, and has been in operation for several years.
 
El Al's security personnel have been using the X-ray machine until now because Arkia only carries freight from Tel Aviv to Paris, but not on the return leg from Paris.
 
Arkia recently declared its intention to enter, as from early August, the international air freight market, including the rather busy Tel Aviv-Paris route.
 
Arkia can not fly freight unless the cargo passes through the X-ray machine.
 
El Al refuses to cooperate, and informed Arkia that it would not X-ray freight that Arkia was due to carry, so long as the machine was located on El Al's premises at Charles de Gaulle Airport.
 
Aviation sources said last week that El Al's refusal to allow Arkia use the X-ray machine was mainly aimed to prevent Arkia's entry into the air freight market and to prevent competition.
 
It is understood that El Al's management indicated that if it was compelled to allow the scanning against its wishes, it would demand Arkia to indemnify it in the event of a lawsuit against El Al for a breakdown or claim resulting from the check.