Primer:  Airport Security

Every day, airport operators and their employees work to ensure the security of the traveling public.  Working with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), airlines, and other stakeholders such as concessionaires and vendors, airport operators help to maintain a multi-layered security regime to protect the nation’s airports and aviation system from terrorist and criminal activities. Tied closely with the security activities at airports are the public safety activities at airports. 

Changes to Security Post 9/11 Terrorist Attacks

Following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, Congress passed the Aviation and Transportation Security Act, which created the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

The situation on Sept. 11, 2001:

• The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulated aviation security
• Security was a responsibility of airports and airlines
• Airports were responsible for
• Providing law enforcement support
• Restricting access to airline aircraft by unauthorized individuals
• Airlines were responsible for
• Screening passengers and bags
• Screening cargo
• Security of their own aircraft

In 2002, the FAA security regulations were transferred to the TSA

• Security is the responsibility of TSA, airports, and airlines
• TSA is responsible for
• Screening passengers and bags
• Airports are responsible for
• Providing law enforcement support
• Restricting access to airline aircraft by unauthorized individuals
• Airlines are responsible for
• Security of their own aircraft
• In many cases at the larger airports, airlines may be responsible for security of their own terminals, work areas, and other facilities such as cargo and maintenance hangers

• FAA remains responsible for its own facilities, although there is coordination with TSA
  
  

The Homeland Security Act of 2002 consolidated 22 federal agencies into the Department of Homeland Security.  The TSA was moved from the Department of Transportation to the Department of Homeland Security.

Airport Security Requirements

Transportation Security Regulations

• Outline rules for airports serving airlines
• Requires at least one airport security coordinator
• Allows TSA to impose additional requirements on airport operators through security directives
• Requires each airport to have an airport security program unique to its conditions

Airport Security Programs

• All commercial airports must develop a TSA-approved Airport Security Program
• The program establishes the basic security requirements for each airport
• The program identifies an airport’s secured areas

Background Checks for Airport Employees

• Criminal history record checks for all employees are required
• No individual is allowed unescorted access to restricted areas without the background check
• As of Oct. 1, 2007, TSA  also requires airport employees to undergo an additional background investigation, known as a security threat assessment

General Aviation Airports

• Small airports without scheduled commercial service do not have the same regulatory requirements as commercial airports.
• Most small airports implement TSA-endorsed best-practice guidelines for airport and aircraft security.

Airport Tenant Security Programs

• At many airports, a tenant will also have a TSA-approved security program, which is incorporated in the TSA-approved Airport Security Program.

Security Roles

TSA

• TSA has direct operational and regulatory responsibility for screening passengers and their bags. 
• TSA operates over 700 security checkpoints and about 7,000 baggage screening areas each day at airports across the nation. 
• About 2 million passengers are screened each day. 
• TSA is also responsible for regulatory oversight and enforcement of airports’ and airlines’ security responsibilities

Airports

• Airport operators are responsible for implementing TSA security requirements for airport perimeters, access controls, and airport workers. 
• Each airport’s TSA-approved security program outlines security policies, procedures, and systems.
• There are about 450 commercial airports in the United States that must establish security programs of varying complexity, depending on airport size and activity.  Most security programs include, among other things, guidelines for performing background checks on airport workers, providing security training for these workers, and controlling access to secured airport areas, including the perimeter.
• TSA classifies U.S. commercial airports in one of five security categories—X, I, II, III, or IV—based on various factors, such as the total number of aircraft take-offs and landings annually, the number of passengers screened, and other special security considerations.
  
  

Airlines

• The standardized structure of the Aircraft Operator Standard Security Program is further refined by each airline to meet its specific operational requirements, and is approved and regulated by the TSA.
• As with Airport Security Programs, an airline’s plan is considered sensitive security information and is not publicly available.
  
  

Cargo

• Cargo carried on commercial passenger aircraft, known as belly cargo, is subject to screening and inspection by airlines in a manner similar to checked baggage screening.
• Cargo handled by third parties such as freight forwarders and cargo-only airlines is subject to a separate but similarly stringent screening process.

Airport Security Areas

U.S. commercial airports are divided into different areas with varying levels of security.  Individual airport operators determine the boundaries for each of these areas on a case-by-case basis, depending on the physical layout of the airport.

• Security Identification Display Area (SIDA):  The portion of the airport where each person authorized unescorted access must continuously display an airport-approved identification badge, or be under airport-approved escort.  Those having unescorted access must have a background check and special training.

• Secured Area:  The portion of the airport where access controls are required that meet federal standards.  Such controls are usually electronic systems that include, for example, magnetic card readers and personal identification number (PIN) pads.  In addition, the Secured Area must meet the requirements of a SIDA where each person authorized unescorted access in the secured area must continuously display an airport-approved identification badge, or be under airport-approved escort.  Those having unescorted access must have a background check and special training.  The secured area is, for example, where commercial passenger aircraft are boarded and de-boarded, and bags are sorted and loaded or unloaded on such aircraft.

• Air Operations Area (AOA):  The portion of the airport requiring basic access controls.  Such controls include, for example, signs, fences, locked doors and gates, and having each person seeking entry present identification to an airport security official.  Airports may also designate all or part of the AOA as a SIDA for purposes of requiring that each person with unescorted access must continuously display an airport-approved identification badge, or be under airport-approved escort.  In such cases, those having unescorted access must also have a background check and special training.  The AOA is, for example, where general aviation and corporate aircraft are located, as well as airfield maintenance facilities.

• Sterile Areas: The areas in terminal buildings beyond the TSA passenger screening checkpoints, where passengers board and de-board aircraft.  Generally, only ticketed passengers and airport employees with authorization can enter this area.
  

• Public Area: Any location outside the retricted areas of the airport where a person may go freely, such as the baggage claim and ticket counter locations.

   

Compiled Charles R. Chambers, Jr. (cchambers@aci-na.org) ACI-NA’s Senior Vice President, Security and Facilitation and Lydia Kellogg (lkellogg@aci-na.org) ACI-NA’s Senior Manager, Public Safety and Security