Bill strengthening security for charter operators welcomed

The National Business Aviation Association has welcomed moves by the US House of Representatives to “strengthen and streamline” security for charter operators.

The Securing General Aviation and Commercial Charter Air Carrier Service Act of 2017, sponsored by Rep Ron Estes, of Kansas, would require the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to carry out a cost and feasibility study of allowing commercial charter operators to have access to the Secure Flight system.

It would also authorise the TSA to provide commercial charter operators with screening services in areas other than passenger terminals on request.

The proposed bill also contains clauses enabling the TSA to tighten security in the general aviation sector.

A report on the bill by the House Committee on Homeland Security said that, because commercial charter operators and general aviation represent a small fraction of the TSA’s stakeholders, their issues and concerns often “fall to the bottom” of its list of priorities. “This bill seeks to elevate some of these important, but often overlooked, security issues.”

NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen said: “We applaud Rep Estes for introducing this important legislation, which would provide much-needed streamlining of security for general aviation and commercial charter air carriers. The bill would offer more flexibility to general aviation and charter operators, while also increasing security.”

The bill will now go to the Senate for possible consideration.