ACI-NA Expresses Concern Regarding ICAO Requirement on Airport Quarantine Stations

On Aug. 23, ACI-NA expressed concern to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regarding its acceptance of proposed changes to ICAO Annex 9, Paragraph 6.93, concerning airport facilitation. The proposed change modifies the requirement for international airports, with regard to having quarantine facilities, from "should" to "shall." The FAA did not oppose this change on the basis that neither the Department of Transportation (DOT) nor U.S. airports would face new requirements under the proposed change. FAA's lack of objection is based on the assumption that quarantine facilities would be required and funded by entities other than DOT or airports.

ACI-NA remains concerned, however, that the proposed amendment, if adopted, would read: "International airports shall have available adequate facilities for administration of public health and animal and plant quarantine measures applicable to aircraft, crew, passengers, baggage, cargo, mail and stores." In the letter, ACI-NA proposes alternate language that would assure neither DOT nor individual airports would bear the responsibility for requiring or funding quarantine facilities, is integral to the proposed amendment.

For more information, contact ACI-NA's Dick Marchi.