REPORT OF THE - Archives - Syracuse University

against foreign international airports and the international aviation industry in general.
The Act draws its ultimate authority from the U.S. sovereign right to control landing
rights in this country.
The Act directs the Secretary of Transportation to conduct periodic security assessments
of foreign international airports used by American carriers and airports from which
foreign carriers last depart to the United States. These assessments are measured against
the minimum standards set by ICAO.
The Secretary of Transportation, in conducting these assessments under the Foreign
Airport Assessment Program, must consult with the Secretary of State on the extent of
the terrorist threat in each country. If the assessment determines that an airport's security
procedures are deficient, the Secretary of Transportation notifies the foreign government.
This occurs after advising the Secretary of State. The notification includes recommended
steps necessary to correct the deficiencies.
A finding of deficiency sets in process a 90-day period during which the foreign
government must bring its airport up to standard. If it fails to do so, the Act imposes a
series of sanctions:
the Secretary of State must issue a travel advisory;
the identity of the airport must be published in the Federal Register;
the decision must be advertised publicly; and
a travel advisory must be included with all tickets between the United States and that
airport.
All assistance under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 and the Arms Export Control
Act to that country may also be suspended.
In addition to the 90-day process, the Act provides for immediate notification, issuance of
the travel advisory, and suspension of air service to any airport if the Secretary of
Transportation determines that a condition exists which threatens the safety and security
of passengers, crews or aircraft.
A total of 247 foreign airports in 99 countries currently must be assessed under the
program. The FAA's goal is to assess each of these annually, typically involving a threeto
five-day visit by a two-member team. Severe FAA personnel shortages generally limit
the depth of these assessments to interviews and observations. The FAA regional office
in Brussels for Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, for instance, has a staff of 13 to
cover 42 countries and 123 airports. Inspectors do not substantively test the operational
effectiveness of security procedures. The FAA inspectors do, however, describe in detail
the security measures in place for each ICAO standard.
Since the program began in 1986, the FAA has conducted 957 foreign airport
assessments and made 1,082 recommendations. Significantly, only four assessments
triggered the 90-day period; and only in one case, Manila in 1986, were the sanctions
invoked.
According to FAA officials, in most cases the foreign airports move immediately to
correct deficiencies and to implement improvements. When a 90-day countdown does
begin, FAA calls upon the assistance available from other U.S. agencies and ICAO to
facilitate improvements. The Foreign Airport Security Act, therefore, generates security
compliance and improvements in a low-key and generally cooperative fashion.