Airlines, Government Tout Security Cooperation at Aviation Trade Show

Setting aside Pollyannaish promises of perfectly secured skies, this week's National Business Aviation Association trade show took off Tuesday with claims that cooperation between the private sector and federal government is the nation's best hope for preventing terror attacks from small aircraft.

Addressing a standing-room-only crowd of 1,000 aviation professionals at the Las Vegas Convention Center, the Transportation Security Administration's top official said there's no way to fully secure the nation's passenger airports without turning them into impracticable, de facto fortresses. But Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security David Stone said the TSA remains encouraged by its partnership with airports and their general aviation users.

"We know that there is no 100 percent solution," Stone said. "It does no good to have an airport that's 100 percent secure if nobody can go to the airport. So getting that balance correct truly is what partnership is about.

"Every day when I receive a morning operations brief, they frequently contain two or three calls from general aviation airports that reported suspicious activity. That power of local control, local ownership really is the key to us securing our transportation system."

Security issues have been important to general aviators in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001, hijackings, and even before that day's tragic events. This has been particularly true for private jet operators whose passengers are often wealthy business people or other VIPs.

Kidnappings, hijackings and other similar attacks remain a common threat when traveling overseas, magnifying the importance of guarding airports and parked aircraft, said Joe Autera, who provides anti-terror services for corporate aviation clients of Tempe, Ariz.-based Medaire.

Like Stone, Autera said much has been done in recent months to improve general aviation security, both inside and outside the United States.

"If you were just to rely on the government, that's probably not a recipe for success. If you were to just rely on the industry, that's probably not a total solution either," Autera said. "But when you look at what's going on with the different aviation industry organizations, in cooperation with the government, I think you're looking at the model that's the best possible solution.

"The aircraft owners and operators understand the threats ... and are (being provided) with a modicum of security awareness training and, perhaps more importantly, an ability to report suspicious activity."

Examples include:

--Programs to ensure identification badges are used by employees and other authorized small airport personnel.

--Expanding the use of background checks of airport workers and private pilots.

--Limiting noncrew access to planes, including making sure janitors or caterers cannot enter aircraft without a crew escort.

Stone said TSA is also focused on maintaining and further training its approximately 52,500-person work force, as well as adding new technologies such as devices that can detect explosives on commercial airline passengers and any checked baggage or documents they may be carrying.

"Technology is critical," Stone said, adding that he believes devices being tested at airports in San Diego and Tampa, Fla., among others, would have stopped terrorists like those who in August carried bombs aboard two Russian aircraft and detonated them in midair shortly after takeoff, killing 90 people.

Edward Bolen, president and chief executive of the Washington-based association, said security is just one challenge facing his $900 billion per year industry. Other key concerns include competition with commercial airlines, environmental issues related to aircraft noise, and gaining access to key airports around the country.

"As much as we do to try to secure the safety of our operations, we're sometimes still restricted to areas that are open to commercial flights," Bolen said, citing Chicago's O'Hare International, which will soon limit general aviation flights to no more than four per hour due to heavy traffic at the busy United Airlines hub.

Bolen urged his organization's 8,000 members to be politically active to ensure their shared interests are protected.

"We need to make our size and significance felt in Washington," Bolen said.

The National Business Aviation Association trade show is expected to draw 30,000 attendees. The closed-to-the-public event ends Thursday.