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New Security Strategy

The new security strategy for 2009 will focus on five projects:

• One Stop Security - remove one layer of screening for connecting passengers, bringing major benefits to industry and passengers while improving security (see article below for more information).
  
• Data Exchange – set new standards, provide education, promote harmonisation and tackle costly non-standard requirements worldwide.
  
• Harmonisation of Technology Standards – steer the development of an international benchmark for screening standards, resulting in a direct reduction in costs for regulators, airlines and ultimately the travelling public.
  
• Secure Freight – commence development of a system to certify supply chains and introduce a cargo security quality assurance standards and procedures.
  
• Security Management Systems (SeMS) – promote more efficient implementation of security measures, better use of resources and a direct cost reduction through the implementation of SeMS. 2009 will focus on the adoption of SeMS into ICAO Annex 17 and continued education for airlines, airports and regulators.

IATA Pushes for One-Stop Security

One-stop security is the process whereby transfer passengers are not re-screened if they have already been adequately screened at departure. In many respects, the concept makes a lot of sense: by eliminating double screening, it reduces security costs, alleviates passenger stress, and encourages security cooperation between States. This is why, in the end of the 1990s, it became an ICAO Strategic Objective – before the events of 9/11 changed the order of priorities.

While most intra-EU passengers can already benefit from it, it is not yet in place between the EU and third countries, or in the rest of the world. IATA has started discussions with some key States to test One-stop security, first of all on a bilateral basis. With 325 million passengers connecting each year at the world’s airports, the stakes are too high to be complacent.

IATA Starts Reflection on Passenger Data Clearing House

To comply with government requirements for passenger data such as Advance Passenger Information (API), carriers typically have to invest between US $50,000 to US $5 million. The burden is becoming increasingly unacceptable as the number of requirements grows every year.

In order to alleviate this burden, IATA is investigating a solution whereby carriers could submit their data once for each flight, in a standard format, to a global clearing house, where it would be formatted and passed on to relevant authorities worldwide, with additional benefits such as document checking built in.

This would both drastically reduce the need for system development and reduce the number of transmissions per flight. IATA will organise focus groups with both governments and airlines in early 2009 to explore solutions and gauge interest in this idea.