However, Recent Proposals In The UK Cause New Concerns

Although business aviation has never been identified as a security threat, the attempted terrorist action aboard a commercial airliner on December 25 underscores the need for continued vigilance across all of aviation. NBAA is in continuing contact with officials from the Department of Homeland Security and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and it is the Association's understanding that last week's events are not anticipated to have an impact on security policies related to the business aviation community.

NBAA will keep Members advised, and will continue to work with federal security officials to promote effective measures to enhance general aviation security while accommodating the mobility and flexibility that are the hallmarks of business aviation.

On another front, NBAA notes that earlier this month, the United Kingdom's Department for Transport published a proposal that would establish new, binding and mandatory aviation security standards for all airports not exclusively used by the military. Although unrelated to last week's events on a commercial airliner, the standards would apply mandates to airports serving aircraft with an MTOW of between 15,000 and 45,500 kg for the carriage of employees and other passengers or goods as an aid to the conduct of company business.

Unless airports develop alternate measures, business aircraft would be subject to full airline-like security measures. Unlike the U.S. approach to security, which places security requirements on the aircraft operator, the UK approach appears to burden airports with security measures. The proposal seeks comments by March 3, and NBAA is working with the British Business and General Aviation Association and the European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) to respond to the proposal.

FMI: www.nbaa.org/advocacy/issues/security, www.dft.gov.uk/consultations/open/aviationsecurity