Couriers have licenses suspended for mislabeling cargo

Three Shanghai courier firms had their carrier licenses suspended after a package that contained a hazardous chemical activated an aircraft alarm on March 10, Youth Daily reported.

A Juneyao Airlines Airbus A320-200, on a flight from Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport to Beijing, was near Jinan, Shandong province, on March 10 when the crew received a forward cargo fire indication, activated the fire suppression system and diverted the plane to Jinan.

A notice released by the China Air Transport Association said the alarm was caused by a package containing Diethylaminosulphur trifluoride, which is categorized as a flammable liquid of minor risk. The cargo list, however, said the package contained "bidding documents, shoes, connecting lines and bearings."

STO Express was responsible for freight solicitation, Shanghai Bingxin Logistics Co Ltd for delivery and Shanghai Shenhaijie International Logistics Co Ltd for consignment. The China Air Transport Association said the three companies delivered hazardous materials beyond their business scope and concealed the nature of the cargo, which is extremely serious and posed a large risk to civil aviation.