TSA Brags About Limited, Restricted GA Return

TSA has finally reopened Ronald Reagan Washington Airport (DCA) to certain pre-cleared General Aviation (GA) operations, including corporate and charter aircraft.

These operations are highly restricted, costly, and difficult to comply with -- none-the-less, TSA is bragging.  

"Opening up Reagan National to General Aviation underlines TSA's commitment to balance the security and commercial needs of the Capital Region," said Pat Hynes, Federal Security Director for TSA at DCA. "We recognize the economic importance of providing access to the airport so we worked with key stakeholders to develop stringent requirements that allow private aircraft to return here."

The TSA's DCA Access Standard Security Program (DASSP) -- which was developed in coordination with other Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agencies, the Department of Transportation, the Department of Defense, and other federal agencies -- addresses the special aviation security needs in the National Capital Region.

TSA's plan allows access for up to 48 GA flights into DCA per day from twelve "gateway" airports. These airports are: Seattle-Tacoma, WA; Boston Logan; Houston Hobby; White Plains, NY; LaGuardia, New York; Chicago Midway; Minneapolis/St.Paul, MN; West Palm Beach, FL; San Francisco, CA; Teterboro Airport, NJ; Philadelphia, PA; and Lexington, KY.

GA at DCA was suspended immediately after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. There were approximately 660 general aviation and charter flights per week into and out of DCA at that time.

Congress required DHS and TSA to develop a security plan to permit GA aircraft to operate into and out of DCA in the 2003 Vision 100-Century of Aviation Reauthorization Act. TSA published an Interim Final Rule (IFR) on July 18, 2005 that outlined the guidelines for GA at DCA.

FMI: www.tsa.gov