Imminent Deadline for Airlines and Airports to Comply with EC 2320/2002.

The European Commission’s Regulation (EC) 2320/2002 requires all airlines, including foreign registered airlines, operating services from a Member State to submit an Air Carrier Security Programme. In addition, all 25 EC Member States must obtain Airport Security Programmes from airports in their State.

Industry Regulation
The pace of regulatory change is increasing. The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) is extending the measures contained in their Annex 17: Aviation Security Standards document, for implementation by national Regulators, and the United States Transport Security Agency (TSA), has set new standards for US Registered Airlines and for national airports. In Europe all States must produce a National Civil Aviation Security Programme based on Regulation (EC) 2320/2002. Each airport is required to submit an Airport Security Programme, and all airlines operating from an EU Member State must provide an Air Carrier Security Programme - initial programmes must be produced by 1 January 2005 with final submissions by 1 July 2005.

The Challenges Ahead
The intention of 2320/2002 is to harmonize aviation security within EU Member States, however SSI’s experts point to the challenge faced by airlines to produce a programme applicable to all 25 States, when each has the option of introducing "More Stringent Measures" under Article 6 of the EC Regulation. There is also the added complexity of the 20 official EC languages, which may be used in the State programmes.

• Programmes - to meet the requirements of the National Civil Aviation Security Programme.
• Security Risk Assessments – tailored to individual National profiles to identify threats and the measures required to minimize the risk to individual air carriers.
• Aviation Law –compliance relating to National Civil Aviation Security Programmes; Data Protection; Conditions of Carriage.
• Equipment - necessary for compliance with mandated security measures.
• Training - requirements are set by the Regulators and compliance is mandatory.
• Measures Implementation - interpretation of the requirements necessary for compliance with the measures contained in the Regulations.
• Performance Monitoring - audit programmes are mandated by the ICAO, TSA and EU Regulations and a self-regulatory regime will be required.

SSI Consulting Support
When the UK introduced a national requirement for Air Carrier Security Programmes in 1998, most airlines operating from the UK found the task beyond their resources and many outsourced the work to consultants who are now allied to SSI. SSI retains experts from airports and air carriers whose primary corporate value was ensuring safe and secure travel. SSI experts are available to fulfil the support needs of airport and air carrier security executives in meeting regulatory requirements. They are aware of current legislation and are able to tailor compliance requirements to the needs of Regulators and clients.

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