IATA seeks better cooperation against security threats

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has urged industry and governments to work together in an even stronger partnership to provide durable solutions to aviation’s security challenges.

These efforts, which must be based on common principles, include such areas as overflying conflict zones, landside security at airports, insider threats, cyber security, harmonisation of PNR (passenger name record) and API (advance passenger information) requirements and airport checkpoints.

IATA’s Director General and CEO, Alexandre de Juniac, said aviation is the ‘business of freedom’—a catalyst for social and economic development that improves people’s lives. But, “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’s comments were made in an opening speech to the 25th Aviation Security (AVSEC) World conference in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

AVSEC World is being hosted by Malaysia Airlines and jointly presented by IATA in partnership with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and Airports Council International (ACI).

Four principles to guide the cooperative security efforts of government and industry were elaborated. They are risk-based measures to ensure that limited resources are applied where the threats are greatest; information sharing among governments and with industry to enable effective risk-assessments; the implementation of global standards in security systems worldwide to support effective collaboration between all parties in all locations; and capacity building supporting the mutual recognition of standards to improve effectiveness and efficiency.