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The Transportation Security Administration has delayed security requirements, criminal background checks and threat assessments for tens of thousands of workers who handle passenger-airplane cargo, saying the aviation industry is unable to meet previous deadlines.

The agency has pushed back several deadlines as required under a rule issued earlier this year. "TSA has concluded that the regulated community will be unable to meet some deadlines in the air-cargo final rule because of the large number of employees and agents subject to the requirements," the agency said in a Federal Register notice Wednesday.

The conclusion was based on more than 4,500 comments from industry in response to the final rule, TSA spokesman Darrin Kayser said. Kayser said other requirements of the rule still apply, such as multiple security layers, random screening and the "known shipper" program.

"The measures issued earlier this year have greatly enhanced air-cargo security," Kayser said. "In working with industry, we became aware that a small portion could not be accomplished without significant negative impact to cargo operations. By delaying the compliance deadlines, we ensure these vital security measures are implemented in an operationally sound manner."

He would not say what percentage of cargo placed on passenger aircraft is currently inspected because it is sensitive security information. "We don't want that type of information to get out so terrorists ... can game the system," he said. About 7,500 tons of cargo is transported on passenger planes each day.

Under the cargo rule, aircraft operators, foreign carriers and indirect air carriers would have until Dec. 1 to ensure that security threat assessments are completed on workers with unescorted access to cargo. That deadline also applied to agents, which are companies under contract with air carriers to perform a security responsibility.

The deadline has now been extended until March 15 for employees of aircraft operators, foreign air carriers and indirect air carriers, and June 15 for employees of agents. Kayser said the deadline applies to about 50,000 workers.

Under the rule, indirect air carriers also would have until Nov. 22 to ensure that employees or agents are properly trained in order to perform security-related duties. The deadline for employees remains the same but has been pushed back to June 15 for agents.

Airport operators also were to ensure that, starting this week, anyone with unescorted access to cargo areas underwent a criminal history check, held appropriate identification, successfully completed training in accordance with TSA-approved curriculum, and underwent a name-based security threat assessment by TSA. That deadline has been extended to Jan. 22.

The deadline extensions have taken effect, but TSA is accepting comments on them until Dec. 26.

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