Vertical Markets

Global aviation security plan

by Mark Rowe

The United Nations agency for international civil aviation, the ICAO, has called for action at the global, regional and national levels by governments and industry on aviation security. The ICAO Council endorsed a first Global Aviation Security Plan covering international coordination, response, and planning to counter threats to civil aviation passengers, cargo, aircraft and facilities.

ICAO Council President Dr Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu said: “This new strategic document will assist ICAO Member States in their aviation security coordination with other States and applicable security agencies, as well as helping to nurture security cultures and capabilities, place greater focus on the role of new technologies and innovations, and refine related frameworks for oversight and quality assurance.”

A set of indicators and target dates have also been agreed, and targets and outcomes will be regularly reviewed and adjusted, taking into account all new and emerging aviation security threats. As for a timetable, objectives have been set for the next three years until the 40th Session of the ICAO Assembly in 2019. Dr Aliu said: “The Council has encouraged the ICAO Secretariat to continue refining and improving this critical living document, on the basis of close continued cooperation with States and security stakeholders globally, and with due attention to all applicable implementation assistance and capacity building requirements in ICAO’s Regions.”

ICAO Secretary General Dr Fang Liu said: “The ICAO Secretariat has developed this strategic document on an accelerated basis to answer the call of ICAO’s Council and Member States and the respective commitments and actions of national governments will now be essential to its overall impact and value. This new Global Aviation Security Plan will now take its place alongside ICAO’s existing Global Plans for aviation safety and system-wide capacity and efficiency, and importantly it directly responds to various resolutions and expectations regarding aviation security and terrorism which have been expressed to ICAO by the United Nations Security Council.”

An ICAO roadmap outlines some 94 tasks, accompanying 32 actions under five key priority outcomes; covered are traveller identification, threat and risk assessments, baggage and cargo security, physical security at airports, incident response and international cooperation. Concerns include availability of small weapons, improvised explosive devices, portable surface-to-air weapons, drones and cybersecurity.

See also on the ICAO website the Dr Fang Liu to the United Nations Security Council in September 2017 on threats to international peace and security caused by terrorists acts. Afterwards the UN Security Council unanimously adopted resolution 2309 on aviation security.

The ICAO reports the world has 100,000 daily flights, allowing 10 million passengers each day to reach their destinations. That volume is expected to double by 2030.

Photo by Mark Rowe; Heathrow Airport.

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