ACI-NA met with Paul Leyh, the new Transportation Security Administration General Manager for Commercial Aviation in the Office of Transportation Sector Network Management (TSNM). Doug Hofsass, Deputy Assistant Administrator for TSNM and Karin Glasgow, Chief of Commercial Aviation Stakeholder Affairs for TSNM also participated in the meeting to discuss key aviation security initiatives, including a process to solicit input from the industry and seek recommendations on measures to address vulnerabilities prior to the issuance of Security Directives, something that has been working well.
Representing airport interests, ACI-NA President Greg Principato encouraged TSA to continue to coordinate with the industry, particularly airports. In response, Leyh outlined his plan to maintain the strategic partnership with ACI-NA and the collaborative approach of working closely with airports. He also expressed his support for the ACI-NA-initiated In-Depth Security Review to identify duplicative or out-of-date security measures that need to be rescinded and those that are in need of clarification.
TSA advised that subsequent to a previous meeting between ACI-NA, representatives of the Office of Security Technology and the Office of Security Operations, and TSNM to discuss the deployment of Advanced Imaging Technology at airports, a review was conducted to evaluate the process. The review addressed the challenging aspects of the deployment process raised by ACI-NA at the meeting and is expected to result in better coordination with airports.
In addition to ongoing dialogue and partnership with ACI-NA, Hofsass, Leyh and Glasgow will be participating in the upcoming Annual Conference and the Public Safety and Security Conference.
For more information, please contact Christopher R. Bidwell, Vice President, Security and Facilitation.