News
January 3rd,
2008
"ACE: striving for screener excellence"
The
terrorist events of 9/11 acted as a catalyst for European legislation
establishing common rules in the field of civil aviation. Despite many
legislative initiatives in the field of civil aviation security, an
important issue was not addressed, namely selection and training of the people
performing security tasks and ultimately applying security measures.
The
private aviation security industry has taken initiative on this part through
EASA. In this regard EASA is calling International and
European institutions for binding harmonised requirements with regard to
selection and training of security staff.
Under
following link a publication on this issue can be found in the December
2007 edition of Aviation Security International written by the Legal
Advisor of EASA, Ms. Vanessa Galhardo-Galhetas.
November 5th,
2007
“From the outset the European Aviation Security Association
(EASA) has promoted high quality of services. Given the crucial importance of
people and procedures for aviation security, we deem it necessary to launch
some initiatives in this context.
With the launch of “ACE”, Aviation security Companies
Excellence, the industry wishes to stress its commitment for high quality. The
EASA Quality Program named “ACE” will encompass the different initiatives of
EASA with regard to quality.”
October 30th, 2007
Third Party Liability: The Necessity for Rules
September
18th, 2007
"Aviation security companies want new dialogue on
liability and ISO-approved ‘quality label’ to tighten security personnel selection"
in Security Europe, September 2007 issue
BRUSSELS – Acutely aware their sector is on the front-line of
vulnerability to terrorist attack, Europe’s largest aviation security providers
are reviewing ways to further strengthen security practices on behalf of the
continent’s airlines and airports. At the same time, however, as more aviation
security is outsourced to the private sector, they want governments in Europe
to start... To read more go to www.seceur.info
September
6th, 2007
EASA position on exemptions for liquids from Third
Country Airports (PDF)
The European Aviation Security Providers welcome the initiative of the
European Commission to improve passenger convenience. Currently passengers
arriving from third countries and transferring at Community airports are
prohibited to take liquids bought in airport shops in third countries on board
connecting flights when they change planes at an EU airport. This prohibition
causes a lot of distress with passengers and makes the work of security staff
difficult. Therefore we support initiatives to facilitate the journey of
travellers.
Nevertheless we should make sure that this substantial relaxation in
rules does not create passenger inconvenience in its turn and that the level of
security remains sufficient.
A quick and efficient method of distinction
As a consequence the European Aviation Security Association believes it
necessary that distinction between liquids from exempted third country airports
and liquids of non-exempted third country airports can be made quickly and
efficiently. In order to enable security staff to distinguish quickly between
the origin of the liquids and this without slowing down passengers
unnecessarily at the security check point.
A method resistant to fraud
The used system should be resistant to fraud, in order to avoid that the
type of bag is copied or can be re-opened. Therefore the bag should be
sealed at the airport of origin and it should not be able to open the bag after
sealing without this being visible. Of course the problem of confiscation
remains for opened bags during the first flight.
Harmony with the system in the European Union
The aim of the relaxation of rules for liquids from certain third
country airports is the improvement of passenger convenience and harmonisation.
In order for this harmonisation to succeed the method of distinction should be
in harmony with the method used for liquids bought at airports in the European
Union. As a result the liquids bought at European airports and the
liquids bought at exempted third country airports should be in the same type of
bag or should use the same method of distinction. Using a different type
of method for liquids bought at European airports than for liquids bought at
exempted third country airports would be confusing for passengers and for
security staff. Moreover this would not improve harmonisation.
May 22nd, 2007
Following the EU Roundtable of 2 May 2007,
Security Europe wrote an article on unlimited third party liability in its May
publication. With the title: “Europe’s aviation security sector seeks
protection against unlimited liability for terrorist-related incidents;
officials undecided” written by Brooks Tigner, it focuses primarily on our
roundtable event. The full article can be read on www.seceur.info.
May 8th, 2007
Roundtable
debate ‘European Aviation Security Providers call for European certification.”
The European Aviation Security Association
organised a seated dinner roundtable on the issue of high quality security
services and third party liability, in
The aim of the roundtable was to foster
discussion and debate between key stakeholders at the EU level on the need for
EU certification and its potential role in enhancing security standards and
addressing the issue of unlimited third party liability.
The speakers included Mrs. Marjeta Jager;
the Director of Directorate J Security: Protection of persons, of the assets
and the facilities, DG TREN; Mr. Marc Pissens; President of Securitas Transport
Aviation Security and President of EASA; Mr. Zamir Eldar; CEO of ICTS
Europe Holding and Vice-President of EASA; Mr. Gerard Borel; Airports
Council Europe - ACI Europe; Professor Doctor Kris Bernauw; University of
Ghent; Mr. Wolfgang Bosbach; President of the CDU parliamentary group in
Germany.
Mrs. Jager provided the view of the
Commission and stated that the Commission understands the problem of the
Aviation Security Industry. Problem is that regulation would go beyond the
competence of the Commission according to Mrs. Jager.
Mr. Marc Pissens gave an overview of the
private security sector and showed the position which the members of EASA take
in. More than half of the European aviation security market is outsourced to
private operators. EASA represents the largest private aviation security
providers in
Mr. Zamir Eldar explained the two issues on
the table. Namely on the one hand the efforts made and to be made by the
industry to deliver a high quality product and on the other hand the vulnerable
position in which the industry is left in case of a catastrophic event. He
advocated for the investment in high security by the industry to be met by
appreciation by the responsible public institutions.
Mr. Gérard Borel provided the attendants
with the view of the airport sector. He stressed that post 9/11 security
a number one priority is for airport operators and that security has become a
big cost. Borel also addressed the problem of state disengagement and unlimited
liability of security providers.
Prof. Dr. Kris Bernauw gave an academics
perspective on the topic. He concluded that the security industry is paralysed
by the lack of (affordable) insurance cover. A possible solution lies at
international level according to the Professor.
Mr. Wolfgang Bosbach gave the view of the
German presidency and emphasized on the importance of quality and stresses the
importance of security.
Below
you may find the PowerPoint presentations used at the Roundtable:
·
European
Aviation Security, Market Overview - Marc Pissens
·
European Aviation
Security: ensuring high quality - Gérard Borel
·
Aviation Security Providers, Liability & Insurance - Prof. K.
Bernauw
April 17th, 2007
Working Committee Airport Security: Roundtable debate
‘European Aviation Security Providers call for European certification
On May 2, EASA organizes a roundtable debate in the European Parliament.
Reflecting the continuous efforts made by aviation security providers to
improve the quality of security services, the aim of the roundtable is to
foster discussion and debate between key stakeholders at the EU level on the
need for EU certification and its potential role in enhancing security
standards and addressing the issue of unlimited third party liability. Speakers
include Alexander Nuno Alvaro, Marjeta Jager, Marc Pissens, Zamir Eldar, Gerard
Borel and Kris Bernauw.
The conclusions and outcome of this roundtable debate
will be made available at a later stage on this EASA website.
