The Federal Aviation Administration has eased the rules on interline transfers between foreign airlines and U.S. carriers.

Under the new rules, U.S. carriers can accept shipments from approved foreign airline that are brought to a U.S. gateway and then given to a U.S. airline for transfer to its final destination. Thus, for example, American Airlines can resume accepting goods that are brought by Japan Airlines on passenger flights to Honolulu and then given to American for a flight to the U.S. mainland.

In addition, U.S. airlines can also accept goods from an approved foreign carrier at a foreign gateway. For example, explained Rich Denhart, a spokesman for American, it can accept a shipment brought by Cathay Pacific Airways from Hong Kong to Tokyo. However, the security procedures for transfers at foreign airports are more rigorous and may involve delays, he said.

The FAA eased the interline rules late last week. It had previously approved cargo movements between two U.S. gateways on behalf of foreign carriers if the shipment originates in the U.S. In this scenario, American could carry cargo from Los Angeles to Miami for Iberia Airlines, the Spanish carrier.