New Weight Restriction procedure issued by IAA angers foreign airlines

The limit will mostly affect narrow body aircraft. The restriction does not apply to commercial cargo packages
 
The Ground Operation Division Management of Israel's Airport Authority (IAA) advised local cargo interests that cargo weight restriction for a single piece of cargo to be loaded into cargo compartments should not exceed 50 kg.
 
The advise noted that "Weight of a single commercial cargo package intended for Loading / Unloading to / from a passengers aircraft by manually loading/unloading to/from the cargo compartments should not exceed 50 kg. Above mentioned restriction does not applyto commercial cargo packages loaded onto ULDs/Pallets to be Loaded/Unloaded to/from the aircraft cargo compartments by high-loader accordingly." The new procedure will commence on 21st December 2008.
 
Following the publication of the new weight limit of a single piece of cargo, IATA's Israel issued strongly worded reply arguing that the new weight restriction policy contradicted any acceptable business practices. Further, IATA noted that:" The IAA did not consult with our members, nor has it given the airlines the ability and time to study this action”.
 
The new weight limit procedure will mostly affect narrow body aircraft operated by small airlines. The unilateral decision angered airline representatives who argued that: "all aircraft with bulk cargo compartments will not be able to transport cargo."
 
Further, some noted that: "no one can meet the new requirements, airlines cannot force exporters to adjust to the new requirement”.