NAN-H-16
Security
By Solomon Asowata
Lagos, Oct. 25, 2016 (NAN) The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has called for stronger partnership between governments and the industry to provide durable solutions to aviation’s security challenges.
IATA’s Director-General, Mr Alexandre de Juniac, made the call while speaking at the 25th AVSEC World conference in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
A copy of his speech was obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lagos.
He said that partnerships were essential to address security challenges with the speed needed to stay a step ahead of those who would want to do the industry harm.
De Juniac said the efforts must be based on common principles, including overflying conflict zones, landside security at airports and insider threats.
According to him, they must also include cyber security, harmonisation of PNR (passenger name record) and API (advance passenger information) requirements and airport checkpoints.
“Aviation is the ‘business of freedom’—a catalyst for social and economic development that improves people’s lives.
“Paradoxically, the good that aviation brings also makes it a target for terror. No single entity has all the answers.
“That’s why partnerships are essential to address our major security challenges with the speed needed to stay a step ahead of those who would do our industry harm.
“These efforts must keep four common principles in focus: risk-based measures, the implementation of global standards, capacity building to support the mutual recognition of standards, and information sharing among governments and with industry,” he said.
De Juniac also emphasised the necessity of speed in keeping the industry secure.
“We need to evolve to a system that can function on a continuing basis with a free and fast-flow of useful information. Information sharing is not just about conflict zones.
“If a government has any information about a risk to an airline’s operation, sharing it with the airline could save lives.
“There is a responsibility to get that information to the airline quickly and by effective means.”
The IATA boss noted that airport checkpoints must be both effective and convenient—the goal of the joint IATA-Airport Council International (ACI) Smart Security initiative.
“Processes have improved, but can still be inconvenient and even intrusive. Smart Security is helping with a growing footprint at airports. But we need to see much faster progress,
“Security is fundamentally a government responsibility. But making flying ever safer and more secure is engrained in the DNA of all air transport stakeholders.
“Governments and industry are working together to strengthen our defences with integrated solutions, in the face of evolving security threats.” (NAN)
ASO/DUA/SOA
Edited by Dada Ahmed/Oluwole Sogunle
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