Travel Security Update.

For more safety & security news, data and analysis, please go to: http://www.airguideonline.com/professional.htm Jun 12, 2006

Airlines, defense firms debate airliner missile protection. ATA Executive Vice President and COO John Meenan said "the United States will make a multi-billion dollar mistake if it moves" prematurely by accepting an expensive Counter-Man Portable Air Defense Systems device without sufficient research. Meenan did not dismiss the threat to commercial aviation but contextualized it as "just one piece of the much larger mosaic of concerns that we ought to be looking at." DHS requested $110 million in FY 2006 for C-MANPADS funding, and the FY 2007 budget has been reduced to $4.9 million for finalizing research. Jun 9, 2006

Airports should not endorse Registered Traveler, ATA says. The Air Transport Association has asked airports not to endorse the Transportation Security Administration's Registered Traveler program. The ATA believes the program will shift resources away from other security programs and hurt travelers who decide not to participate. "We are also very concerned that the service providers and the TSA will overcommit and underdeliver at a high cost to some of our best customers," ATA President and CEO James May wrote in a letter. Jun 8, 2006

Airlines request airports not endorse the Registered Traveler program: ATA sent letters to the directors of the top 79 U.S. airports, expressing opposition to the Registered Traveler program. The letters specifically request that the airports not endorse the RT program. Jun 7, 2006

Congress clamors for civilian airliner defense reports. Congress is still waiting for the Department of Homeland Security to submit its counter-MANPADS report on the program's second phase, which was due in April. ATA has been critical of the program, pointing out that MANPADS technology might not defend airlines against all potential threats. Jun 7, 2006

New version of data-sharing pact may not ease court's concerns. A new version of a passenger data sharing agreement may not alleviate a European court's privacy concerns. Airlines in the U.S. and Europe are urging the U.S. to better organize the way it collects information. The governments should coordinate the passenger information programs and the Homeland Security Department's Secure Flight program, Air Transport Association President and CEO James May said. Jun 5, 2006

TSA may issue new guidelines on procedures for cockpit doors. The Transportation Security Administration may issue guidelines intended to help airlines prevent hijackers from anticipating when cockpit doors will be opened. The TSA is studying the carrier's current policies, but pilots say the new guidelines would not substitute for gates to protect the cockpit. Jun 5, 2006

Boston Logan

Boston's Logan decides against Registered Traveler. Officials at Boston's Logan International Airport have decided not to participate in the Registered Traveler program. The benefits the program would provide are not worth the $100 it would cost travelers to enroll, officials said. Jun 8, 2006

Indianapolis Airport

Indianapolis Airport delays Registered Traveler program. Indianapolis Airport has delayed the introduction of the Registered Traveler program while airport officials wait for the Transportation Security Administration to issue its final guidelines for the program. The Air Transport Association sent a letter to airport directors urging them not to endorse the Registered Traveler program. "The reasons for our opposition are straightforward; as currently designed, the program will unnecessarily drain limited TSA resources and detract from the agency's ability to craft more comprehensive programs benefiting all travelers," wrote James May, ATA's president and CEO. Jun 7, 2006

Kansas City

Kansas City airport gets five explosives detectors. Kansas City International Airport has received five new machines for detecting explosives. The machines, which cost $350,000 each, use X-Ray and CT scan technology. Jun 6, 2006

Rapiscan

Rapiscan wins TSA contract to link security equipment. Rapiscan Systems received a Transportation Security Administration contract to link security equipment at 450 U.S. airports. The first phase of the contract is worth $800 million. Jun 7, 2006