Montreal, 27 September 2016: The boards of ACI EUROPE and ACI-NA met with US TSA Administrator Peter Neffenger in Montreal over the weekend – in the run-up to the ACI WORLD & NA Annual Congress & General Assemblies beginning today and bringing together the global airport community. 
Along with safety, security remains an absolute priority for airports, their communities and other industry partners. Ever since 9/11, ACI-NA and ACI EUROPE have jointly been leading the industry's engagement with the US TSA and the European Commission - providing both strategic advice and operational expertise.  

UN SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION

Taking place just a few days after the UN Security Council adopted a landmark resolution on countering terrorist threats to civil aviation, the meeting with Administrator Neffenger focused on the evolving nature & increased complexity of the terrorist threat and the best ways to address it.

There was strong consensus over the need to further progress towards more risk-based and integrated approaches to aviation security - focusing on innovation, intelligence capabilities and a better use of existing resources. The US TSA has already taken significant steps in that direction, in particular through the deployment of its PreCheck system - moving towards a more targeted and efficient screening process at US airports. Landside security was also discussed at the meeting, with Administrator Neffenger confirming that establishing screening checkpoints at the entry of airport terminals presents security vulnerabilities and does not offer the most effective way of securing public areas.*  

Maureen Riley, Chair of ACI-NA and Executive Director of the Salt Lake City Department of Airports, said, “In today’s complex security environment, we must maintain a global vision when it comes to providing the safest and most secure travel experience. More and more, airport challenges are not restricted to one country and require collaboration that crosses borders. Airports appreciate our strong relationship with Administrator Neffenger and his partnership with industry stakeholders.  We look forward to continuing our collaboration to advance a smart, risk-based approach to security through our close alignment with ACI Europe.”

Augustin de Romanet, President of ACI EUROPE and President & CEO of Groupe ADP commented "Continued alignment between the US and the EU is more important than ever given the security environment we are now facing. I was impressed by the TSA's strong focus on innovation and readiness to challenge the way we secure our facilities. The US PreCheck system points to how we need our aviation security system to evolve - reinforcing security efficiency and adapting to the new reality we are facing. I hope we will be able to follow suit in Europe with similar initiatives, which should ideally be developed in tandem with our US partners.

He added “Ultimately, step changes in our ability to protect our facilities - both landside and airside - will depend on the ability of our authorities to leverage their intelligence capabilities and work even closer together and with the industry. The real challenge is detecting and stopping terrorists before they even reach an airport or any other public space. Once they are there, it means we have already lost."

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Notes for Editors

For more information, please contact:

*The ACI World paper on aviation security submitted to ICAO is available here: http://www.icao.int/Meetings/a39/Documents/WP/wp_198_en.pdf

Robert O’Meara, Director, Media & Communications, ACI EUROPE

mobile: +32 (0)486 54 14 71 or tel: +32 (0)2 552 09 82.

Email: robert.omeara@aci-europe.org

ACI EUROPE is the European region of Airports Council International (ACI), the only worldwide professional association of airport operators. ACI EUROPE represents over 500 airports in 45 European countries. In 2014, our member airports handled over 90% of commercial air traffic in Europe, welcoming more than 1.8 billion passengers, 18.4 million tonnes of freight and 21.2 million aircraft movements. These airports contribute to the employment of 12.3 million people, generating €675 billion each year (4.1%) of GDP in Europe.

EVERY FLIGHT BEGINS AT THE AIRPORT.

Robert O’MEARA
Director, Media & Communications
ACI EUROPE (Airports Council International)

10, Rue Montoyer (box No 9), 1000 Brussels, Belgium
Tel: +32 2 552 09 82    Website: www.aci-europe.org          
Fax: +32 2 502 56 37   Twitter: @ACI_EUROPE
For information on airports & their carbon emissions: http://airportCO2.org

ACI EUROPE is the European region of Airports Council International (ACI), the only worldwide professional association of airport operators. ACI EUROPE represents close to 500 airports in 45 European countries. In 2014, our member airports handled over 90% of commercial air traffic in Europe, welcoming more than 1.8 billion passengers, 18.4 million tonnes of freight and 21.2 million aircraft movements. These airports contribute to the employment of 12.3 million people, generating €675 billion each year (4.1%) of GDP in Europe.