Last hole in the system': Congress is aware and concerned about air cargo security but wary of the cost, burden to carriers. (Air & Express).

Lawmakers have pledged to focus on boosting air cargo security during the 108th Congress. But while speaking of enhancing security in U.S. skies, the same lawmakers express concern about the increasing financial burden security costs are placing on airlines.

Security costs that have been passed on to airlines and airports have served to deepen the economic hardship airlines have seen. Low earnings are a result of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, a domestic economy that already had been lagging and, now, the threat of war with Iraq and subsequent hikes in fuel prices.

In testimony before the Senate Aviation Subcommittee Feb. 11, Adm. James M. Loy, undersecretary of transportation for security and head of the Transportation Security Administration, said he hopes Congress will focus on cargo this year. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas, has been a congressional leader in air …