Signs International Aviation Security Agreement With German
Government
TSA Administrator John S. Pistole (pictured,
right) visited Yemen Wednesday to meet with government
officials including Deputy Prime Minister Rashad al-Alimi,
officials from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation and the
Ministry of Interior as well as the U.S. Ambassador.
The TSA Administrator also received briefings from TSA
inspectors deployed to Yemen and expressed his gratitude for their
work. Additionally, Pistole toured a cargo facility in
Sana’a. Yesterday, Pistole spoke to the International Air
Transport Association’s (IATA) AVSEC World Conference in
Frankfurt, Germany, met with international aviation security
officials and signed an international security agreement with
Germany.
Following the disruption of an attempt last week to ship
explosive devices on board aircraft bound for the U.S, TSA and the
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) took immediate measures to
enhance existing protocols for screening inbound cargo, including
grounding packages originating from Yemen destined for the U.S. and
deploying a team of inspectors to assist the government of Yemen
with their cargo screening procedures.
“I am pleased with the work of our TSA inspectors and the
cooperation of Yemeni officials to improve cargo security
practices,” said TSA Administrator John S. Pistole. “We
face a determined enemy, one who modifies their actions looking for
any opportunity to exploit security. Working closely with
counterterrorism officials here and abroad, TSA will continue to
use the best intelligence, leverage the latest technology, and
remain vigilant to address evolving threats.”
While in Germany yesterday, Administrator Pistole joined
officials from Germany’s Federal Ministry of the Interior
(MOI) and Ministry of Transport (MOT) in signing a joint
declaration that provides the framework for additional
collaboration on aviation security. The U.S. and Germany have
worked together to enhance the sharing of aviation security best
practices. This cooperative partnership will help facilitate mutual
aviation security goals to harmonize measures that continue to
ensure the safety of travelers.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), including TSA, has
successfully engaged with other governments and international
security partners to share information on security practices. DHS
and TSA have entered into a number of bi-lateral and multi-lateral
agreements with foreign security partners and have worked with the
aviation industry to continue leveraging knowledge of foreign cargo
screening practices to strengthen air cargo security and fulfill
the 9/11 Act mandate.
Pursuant to the 9/11 Act, TSA has taken significant steps to
increase the security of air cargo on passenger aircraft. TSA
currently requires all cargo that is transported upon domestic or
international outbound passenger aircraft to undergo security
screening. In addition, all cargo flying to the U.S. on passenger
or all-cargo planes, must meet TSA security standards which include
specific requirements covering how facilities and cargo are
accessed, the vetting of personnel with access to cargo, employee
training, and how cargo must be screened. Further, all
international inbound aircraft carrying cargo must provide cargo
manifest information to CBP prior to arrival on long-haul flights
and at wheels-up on flights from Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean,
for additional screening upon arrival in the U.S.