Closer Collaboration Key to Enhancing Aviation Security

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) 73^rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) adopted a resolution reaffirming the airline industry’s commitment to safety and security. It also called for greater collaboration among all government and industry stakeholders to keep flying secure with risk mitigation measures that maximize the protection of passengers and crew while minimizing disruption to passengers and the economy at large.

“Aviation is a target for terrorists intent on destroying the freedom that is at the heart of our business. Information sharing among governments and with the industry is the key to staying a step ahead of emerging threats. We have the same goals—to keep passengers and crew safe. So it only makes sense that we work together as closely as possible,” said Alexandre de Juniac, IATA’s Director General and CEO.

The Resolution highlighted the importance of UN Security Council Resolution 2309, which called for governments to meet their responsibility to keep citizens secure while traveling by air. It also reaffirmed the industry’s strong support for the development by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) of the Global Aviation Security Plan (GASeP). As a goal, GASeP should significantly enhance the clarity, simplicity, and focus of ICAO’s global standards for security (Annex 17 of the Chicago Convention) so that there is no ambiguity in the responsibilities of states.

“GASeP must be a pragmatic and nimble framework for all parties involved in aviation security to work together. No single entity has all the answers. By combining our strengths more efficiently, the security of passengers and crew will be better served,” said de Juniac.

The Resolution urges governments to:

• Engage the industry in early dialogue when faced with a security threat to ensure that workable and effective response measures are developed that can be implemented efficiently to maximize passenger safety and minimize disruption 
• Work in partnership with each other and with airlines, airports and other aviation security stakeholders to develop effective, long-term, security measures that effectively counter threats to aviation
• Take greater accountability for the implementation of ICAO standards and security measures and urgently address any gaps identified through ICAO’s Universal Security Audit Program (USAP)
• Fast-track the GASeP roadmap into National Civil Aviation Security Programs as soon as possible 

“The timing of the resolution is significant. Public and industry confidence has been rattled by inconsistencies in how some states have responded to concerns over the potential for explosives to be concealed in large portable electronic devices (PEDs). It highlights the reason why we need better information sharing and better coordination to achieve risk mitigation measures that maximize the protection of passengers and crew while minimizing unnecessary disruption,” said de Juniac.

The resolution also recognizes the important role of industry in helping governments to keep flying secure. The resolution commits airlines to:

• Implement prescribed security standards and recommended practices to the highest level 
• Support Governments in the development and implementation of additional security  measures when required to protect air transport
• Support the development and implementation of industry-driven aviation security initiatives such as Smart Security, Passenger Name Record (PNR) /Advance Passenger Information (API)
• Enhance industry standards by promoting the implementation of self-assessment and independent verification audit programs such as the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) and IATA Safety Audit for Ground Operations (ISAGO)

“Under the guidance of governments, the industry works hard to improve processes and develop new technology to counter the evolving threat to aviation security. Lengthy processes to get new technology into operation is, however, a bottleneck that needs to be fixed. For example, it’s clear that the long-term solution to mitigating PED threats is better screening technology. But without far greater government investment and support to accelerate development and certification of this new technology, its potential will not be realized,” concluded de Juniac.

Read the full resolution on security (pdf)