DHS Secretary Napolitano Attends Meeting to Discuss International Aviation Security Standards

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano this week met with members of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) as well as leaders from twenty international airlines to discuss improvements in international aviation security. Secretary Napolitano outlined four general areas in which international public-private collaboration would help improve efforts to secure aviation systems: improving information collection and analysis; increasing information sharing and collaboration in passenger vetting; enhancing international aviation security standards; and deploying new airport screening technologies.

This week's meetings are the first in a series of planned global meetings to discuss a collaborative effort to implement new international aviation security standards and procedures. While the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) must, by law, screen passengers and baggage entering air vessels originating from within the United States, it does not screen passengers or baggage originating abroad. All last point of departure flights to the United States must meet minimum standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), as well as recently enhanced security standards set by TSA. The recent global meetings are an effort to streamline international aviation security standards for all international and domestic flights.

TSA Proposes Aircraft Repair Station Security Rule

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) on Wednesday published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) in the Federal Register that would effect security regulations for domestic and foreign aircraft repair stations, as required by the Vision 100-Century of Aviation Reauthorization Act. The NPRM, published at 74 Fed. Reg. 59874-90, would amend 49 CFR Part 1520 and add new Part 1554, to establish security requirements for aircraft repair stations certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

The FAA currently implements extensive safety requirements for both domestic and foreign aircraft repair stations. However, TSA recognizes the distinction between safety and security, and stated in its NPRM on Wednesday that:

supplementing [FAA's] requirements with specific security measures for both foreign and domestic repair stations would further reduce the likelihood that terrorists would be able to gain access to aircraft under repair . . . the importance of requiring all aircraft repair stations to have measures in place to prevent persons from commandeering, tampering, or sabotaging aircraft has increased . . Enhancement of repair station security will mitigate the potential threat that an aircraft could be used as a weapon or that an aircraft could be destroyed.

Among other things, the proposed rule would:

• Require repair stations to adopt and carry out a "standard security program" issued by TSA;
• Require each security program to describe specific measures being implemented to 1) identify individuals with authorized access to the repair station, aircraft, and aircraft components; 2) control access to the repair station, aircraft, and aircraft components; 3) use escort measures for authorized visitors; 4) provide security awareness training to all employees; 5) verify employee background information; and 6) designate a security coordinator;
• Require repair stations to allow TSA and DHS officials to enter, inspect, audit, and test property, facilities, and records relevant to repair stations; and
• Amend 49 CFR Part 1520 to include repair station security programs as Sensitive Security Information (SSI).

The proposed rule would exempt repair stations operating on a Federal government facility, and would require different security measures for repair stations located on or adjacent to airports from those located at off-airport locations. In order to conduct a security assessment prior to implementing the standard security program, TSA would require each regulated repair station to provide assessment information, including location information and employee number and aircraft access information.

TSA solicits comments to the NPRM, which must be submitted by January 19, 2010. Comments should be identified by Docket No. TSA-2004-17131, and may be submitted electronically using the Federal eRulemaking portal.