Westminster (LON:WSG) shares advanced as it revealed it was set for an additional revenue stream - as cargo screening operations have begun at Freetown International Airport (FNA) in Sierra Leone, West Africa.
Teams from the group's Westminster Aviation Security Services (WASS) division have now implemented all of the security features and equipment required, following regulations brought in by the European Commission after security concerns in 2010.
This required all regulated airlines to deploy measures for all cargo bound for the EU and EEA (European Economic Area) and to ensure it was protected from interference.
"Following an intensive audit by the EU validator in February 2016 the new cargo operations at FNA have now been accredited with full RA3 status," Westminster said.
"These operations are just one of a few airports in West and Central Africa with such accreditation. FNA is now able to provide cargo services destined for Europe, including transit and transfer cargo and this provides considerable opportunities for FNA to become a cargo hub serving neighbouring countries."
Westminster will now start screening export cargo for airlines travelling to the EU and elsewhere and revenues will be generated on a variable per kilo security charge tariff.
Peter Fowler, Westminster's chief executive, told investors: "I am delighted to announce the commencement of this much needed and eagerly awaited operation. The hard work put in by our security teams and, in particular, our Cargo Security Manager, must be commended, particularly as much of this work was done during the Ebola crisis period.
"With the end of the Ebola crisis, the resulting airlines returning, and increasing flight numbers, there is a demand for cargo services. Our investment in advanced cargo screening equipment, systems and personnel can now begin to bear fruit as this new cargo screening service represents an additional revenue stream for the company."
Last month, the airport security business inked another memorandum of understanding (MoU) with a government client to supply long term services, bringing the total to four MoUs inked in the last 12 months and means the firm now has around 6mln embarking passengers annually under MoU.
The latest deal was for several international airports within the country concerned, the identity of which was not disclosed, although it does have strong GDP growth, the firm said.
Shares added 2.86% to 18p but were earlier 7% higher.