News
Airports call for more sustainable security
Sept. 27, 2010, Pittsburgh, Pen. - During a joint board of directors
meeting of the North American and European regions of Airports Council
International (ACI-NA and ACI EUROPE), U.S., European, and Canadian
airport directors discussed current aviation security issues with John
Pistole, the recently appointed Administrator of the US Transportation
Security Administration (USA TSA), Daniel Calleja, the Director of Air
Transport for the European Commission and Kevin McGarr, President and
CEO of the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA).
September 27, 2010 By Carey Fredericks
Board members of the Canadian Airports Council (CAC) also attended the meeting.
Taking stock of the progress achieved in recent years as a result of
growing transatlantic cooperation, the boards confirmed their commitment
to working closely with US TSA, CATSA and the EC. They stressed the
importance of achieving an integrated transatlantic One Stop Security
system, so as to deliver better service quality to passengers, while
maintaining an effective level of security.
Looking further ahead, the airport directors urged US TSA, CATSA and the
EC to work towards a more efficient, sustainable aviation security
system. As part of this ambition, they also insisted on the need for the
US, Canada and the EU to take the lead on truly international
harmonization at ICAO.
"Building upon the existing level of coordination with and between the
U.S., Canada and the EU is essential as we move forward to design the
future aviation security system, which must be effective and efficient,
yet sustainable over the long term," said ACI-NA Chairman Hardy Acree.
"The safety and security of our passengers, employees and facilities is
paramount to North American airports"
"Aviation security standards in the EU, Canada and the U.S. are among
the highest in the world," said ACI Europe President Ad Rutten. "Yet,
the ultimate goal of a one-stop security regime, including fully
compatible solutions still has a lot of progress to make."
He added "We are calling for the EU and US to further step up their
cooperation. We are calling upon them to work in a concerted and active
way on designing the aviation security system of tomorrow. The way
forward is clear. Improve the effectiveness of aviation security – by
moving from almost exclusive focus on detection to better use of
intelligence and information in the whole passenger security process."
"Clearly Canada recognizes and supports the goal of pursuing the highest
level of aviation security possible and this can only be through a
concerted and coordinated effort by all parties," said Canadian Airports
Council Chairman William A. Restall.
