Aviation securityIATA calls for harmonization and vigilance in aviation security

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) urged governments and other aviation stakeholders to join airlines in a partnership to improve aviation security and the experience of both travelers and shippers.

Key to this is early adoption of IATA’s Checkpoint of the Future (CoF), a supply chain approach to cargo security, harmonization of measures among governments and constant vigilance to new threats.

“With a decade of experience in the post 9.11 world, it is time for a holistic review of what has been created. There are a lot of things we do right and there is lot that could be improved. I am convinced that by working in partnership we can find a better way. Security is a top priority for everyone associated with the aviation industry. We must find ways to improve both the security of the system and the satisfaction of those who use it,” said Tony Tyler, IATA’s director general and CEO. Tyler’s comments were made in an address to the AVSEC World Conference and Exhibition which has gathered nearly 500 industry leaders in Amsterdam.

Checkpoint of the future

IATA is calling for an overhaul of airport security screening and urging early adoption of the principles behind its Checkpoint of the Future (CoF) vision. The CoF introduces a risk-based approach supported by advanced technology to allow passengers to move through the checkpoint without stopping, unpacking or disrobing.

“Today’s security checkpoint was developed in the 1970’s when hijackers carrying metal weapons were the threat. It is a 40 year-old-concept that needs to fundamentally change. We have added layers of process in response to threats and events but we have not made it any more intelligent because we do not use the information that is collected on passengers to power a risk-based approach. A one-size-fits-all model is applied to every passenger. Their experience is often unpleasant, intrusive, inefficient and time consuming. For the billions of dollars that we spend, we could do a lot better,” said Tyler.

CoF’s risk-based approach would divide passenger screening into three categories (1) normal, (2) enhanced, and (3) “known traveler”. This is based on data already being collected on passengers for customs and immigrations processes such as data stored in the Passenger Name Record, or Advanced Passenger Information, which is provided to governments via travel documents. There would be no profiling based on religious or ethnic grounds. Access to the expedited “known traveler” lane would be reserved for those travelers