Hot Section: Lufthansa Technik earns AEO customs status

The World Customs Organization has given Lufthansa Technik authorized economic operator (AEO) status based upon the company’s established customs procedures and security regulations.

According to a company spokesman, the AEO certification process took about a year and required a full-time, dedicated coordinator. “Because we were one of the first companies to undergo the AEO certification process, there was still some uncertainty regarding the regulations,” he told AIN. The designation allows the company to import and export with greater freedom and flexibility, which translates into lower direct costs and faster response times.

According to the spokesman, the AEO designation is being introduced worldwide with 151 countries, including the major industrial nations, committed to it. The World Customs Organization has awarded AEO status to about 700 companies in 27 member countries since the beginning of last year.