Open Skies Policy Puts Pressure on Security
by Ernie Davitt, National Affairs Editor, ASM
The Federal Government is reviewing Australia’s current aviation security arrangements as part of the previously announced and much broader Homeland Security Review. Ernie Davitt has the story.
The Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Anthony Albanese, told ASM he Rudd Labor Government took airport security with the ‘utmost seriousness’.
The introduction of an ‘open skies’ air transport agreement between the US and Australia has thrown a spotlight on aviation security, with pressure mounting for greater cooperation between trans-Pacific intelligence and law enforcement agencies.
Aviation security standards were among a myriad of areas considered by the US before the landmark announcement by Mr Albanese, that Australia and the US had settled the terms of a new international aviation agreement.
Australian and US airlines will now able to determine the frequency of their air services, and the routes they wish to serve without government interference.
Previously new entrants to the route were only guaranteed four services weekly, making it difficult for new airlines to start services.
The Government says Australian travellers, trade and tourism will benefit as designated airlines will be able to operate unlimited services between the two countries, via other countries and beyond to other countries.
Mr Albanese said: “Since September 11, 2001 there have been regular high-level discussions between Australia and the USA on aviation security and, while the Open Skies agreement did not deal directly with security issues, the agreement did build on the work over recent years.”
He confirmed that the Government was also working on a comprehensive strategy to deal effectively with the issue of laser spotting of planes, such as reported around Sydney Airport recently.
Australia passed the US security requirements with flying colours with Australian international gateway airports now having some of the most sophisticated passenger screening and baggage checking systems in the world.
But it must be said that the increasing global emphasis on aviation security is beginning to wear thin with many international airline carriers.
The head of the powerful International Air Transport Association (IATA), Giovanni Bisignani, told a recent aviation industry conference in Washington, that the industry in the US alone was now paying US$5.9 billion a year - US$300 million higher than previous estimates - to comply with a growing list of security regulations.
“I see more hassle than value so let’s be open and transparent with the problems and the solutions. Too many knee-jerk security enhancement decisions are based on fear even though the threat hasn’t changed.
“We are wasting limited and precious resources.
"We need to cut through the government red tape and focus on harmonised processes around the globe and push for simplification.
"We must invest in new technology to help security become smarter, faster and easier to manage.”
Mr Bisignani said the increasing security bill was happening against the backdrop of an improving but still challenging financial outlook for the airline industry.
“US carriers have gone from industry sick-man to the most profitable of any region in the world.
"This is an incredible turnaround but it’s too early to open the champagne,” he said.
“Airlines are US$200 billion in debt and we could be heading for an economic downturn with little cash in the bank to cushion the fall.
"US carriers are operating aging fleets and labour is also putting pressure on airlines.
“It is disturbing that as soon as the industry shows even fragile profits, labour starts to look for a free lunch.
"If labour pursues an agenda as an irresponsible adversary everybody’s future is limited,” he said.
In response to Mr Bisignani’s criticisms, Mr Albanese said: “There are well-established consultative arrangements between the Australian Government and International airlines operating in Australia about aviation security.
“Our approach to aviation security is to ensure measures are focused, efficient and targeted at minimising potential threats to security.”
Asked what he would say to airlines and air travellers about the need for adequate security measures in the current global climate, Mr Albanese told ASM.
"The Australian Government is taking the strongest measures possible to minimise the risks to passengers and airlines.”
No-one would argue against the observation that Australia has embraced a measured but significantly tighter post-9/11 aviation security environment in the face of higher perceived threat levels.
One of the most significant aviation security measures has been the introduction of dedicated Federal Police units at Australia’s 11 busiest international airports.
A total of $679 million has been allocated by the Australian Government so in response to the Wheeler Review into Airport Policing and Security, in 2005, which recommended the establishment of a single police command structure at Australian airports.
The model includes an Airport Police Commander, a dedicated Joint Intelligence Group, a Counter-Terrorism First Response (CTFR) capability and a permanent community policing presence.
In addition, national and State leaders agreed to establish Joint Airport Investigation Teams at each of the five major international airports.
Anyone travelling by air these days would be aware of the higher profile policing and overall security presence.
Other elements of the Unified Policing Model include: a capital injection to the Australian Federal Police (AFP) for the development of a National Operations Centre ($10.5 million); a Canine Training Centre ($7.2 million); and fit-out of Darwin and Perth Airport Uniformed Police offices ($3.6 million).
A further $135 million has been made available for the deployment of 130 armed air security officers or sky marshals, under the control of the Australian Federal Police, to blend in with passengers and provide greater onboard security on airliners.
Other recent aviation security initiatives in Australia include:
- increased air-side Customs border patrols;
- the upgrade of Customs CCTV capabilities;
- introduction of toughened doors on commercial passenger aircraft and strengthened air cargo security arrangements;
- improved information exchange processes;
- further tightening of checking and processing arrangements for the issue of Aviation Security Identification Cards, and
- a new national aviation security training framework.
Notwithstanding all of that, the US has been trying to recruit Britain and other countries, including Australia, to participate in a new security database which will store biometric information drawn from terrorists, criminals and suspects from around the world.
The FBI in understood to be developing the new database, called the Server in the Sky, which is still in its concept and design stage.
Once implemented, however, it would enable countries to quickly search and exchange biometric data – such as fingerprints, DNA information, and eye scans – on a wide range of criminal and terrorism suspects.
It is understood the FBI is approaching a number of other countries to participate in the new system, including Australia, Canada and New Zealand but it is still too early to say whether they will take up the offer.
ASM has been told some discussion has taken place at officials level but there is some way to go before concrete proposals are put before government.
On the technology front, Australia is likely to see the deployment of a wide range of new high technology security measures such as biometrics over the next few years to keep pace with expected high levels of growth in airline passenger numbers.
This will become particularly important when international airports move to paperless ticketing over the next few years, including the use of mobile phones as aircraft check-in and boarding passes.
Customs, immigration, law enforcement and intelligence agencies will rely more on facial and hand recognition technology linked to computer systems which have the ability to alert officials to suspicious people or activities.
Use of the technology will not only improve the effectiveness of border surveillance so authorities have a better idea of who is entering Australia, it will also allow for savings in staff and administration.
The use of biometrics is becoming more widespread in dealing with large volumes of people entering not only airports but at stores, high security special events, sporting fixtures and even at amusement parks.
The proposed international database is still in its early concept and design stage but once implemented it will enable countries to quickly search and swap biometric data - such as fingerprints, genetic information, and iris scans - on some of the world’s most wanted criminals.
This sort of information could be made available at airports and other international gateways so that any suspects attempting to enter another country could be identified and dealt with.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) which is pushing for paperless ticketing and boarding to be introduced globally, wants uniform international standards implemented which will allow carriers to send bar codes directly to mobile phones or other handheld devices, which passengers can in turn present at check-in.
“Passengers simply register their mobile number with their airline at the time of booking to receive a text message with a 2D bar code, or instructions to download it,” said IATA director general and CEO, Giovanni Bisignani.
“The bar code becomes the passenger’s boarding pass and it is read directly from the screen of the mobile device, eliminating paper completely from the check-in process.”
A handful of carriers have already deployed the new check-in procedures, but IATA says various standards which applied in different regions had so far precluded a global solution.
The new standard supports the industry’s goal of shifting boarding pass formats by 2010 from magnetic strip technology to bar codes—for both digital and paper-based tickets.
IATA’s shift aims to save the industry $500 million annually.
About the author: Ernie Davitt is the National Affairs Editor for Australian Security Magazine.