Avsec Result
Carri Seargent
The Aviation Security Service (Avsec) is the operational arm of the New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) that is responsible for the delivery of aviation security at security-designated airports.[1]
The Aviation Security Service was established as a result of the addition of Annex 17 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation which required that passengers and baggage be screened for weapons. It also required that aviation security be maintained through patrols of operational security areas and having trained officers available to respond to breaches of aviation security. As a result, New Zealand established Avsec in 1977 to fulfil these requirements and meet its obligations under the convention.[2]
In terms of governance, the service is part of the CAA and reports to its chief executive. However, it is operationally independent from the regulatory function arm of the authority and is required to have a separate budget.[3][2]
The service is headquartered at 366 Lambton Quay in Wellington, the same address as the CAA. It also has offices at each of the security-designated airports as well as a training centre in Auckland.[4]
Avsec's primary activities involve security screening as well as maintaining the security of restricted areas through patrols and an Airport Identity Card system. However, the service does also fulfil other functions.[6]
Avsec undertakes pre-boarding security screening of passengers (and their carry-on baggage) travelling on all international flights as well as domestic flights that operate using aircraft with seats for 90 or more passengers.[6] For international flights, the screening also includes passenger's checked baggage.[7] Currently there are only six security-designated airports with flights that fall into this category:
Security screening is primarily conducted using walk-through metal detectors which all passengers must pass through prior to boarding security-designated flights. However, some passengers are also screened using Advanced Imagining Technology (AIT, otherwise known as body scanners).[8] These scanners were first introduced at Auckland for international flights in June 2019 and at Dunedin for domestic flights in August 2019. Since then, they have been progressively rolled-out across all the airports to ensure compliance with international standards and detect aviation security threats that evade traditional screening methods.[9][10]
In 2018, Avsec began trialing Behavioral Detection Officers at Auckland Airport to observe passengers and detect unusual behaviour that could indicate a threat to aviation security. The trial lead to the establishment of a permanent team at Auckland Airport as well as at Christchurch Airport. Such a practice has been controversial in other countries, due to accusations of racial profiling. However, Avsec insists that this is mitigated through training on unconscious bias as well as the interactions between officers and passengers being reviewed daily by team leaders. The service also claims that the practice has been highly successful in detecting crime including activities such as credit card fraud which do not pose a direct threat to aviation security and is, therefore, referred onwards to the New Zealand Police or Customs Service.[11][12][13]
I also strongly support the principle that no country should be left behind. And our goal is that security in the overall scheme of things should be on par with safety and facilitation. As I look at it, and as our colleagues around the world and I believe industry looks at it, improvements we make in safety will have a beneficial effect on security and improvements made in security often times have a beneficial impact on safety and they both result in better facilitation of the movement of both passengers and cargo and what we are hoping for is that we have both the structure and resources dedicated to security at the global and ICAO level going forward.
I value the relationships with all of you and in that regard, and based on your input, we are modifying the TSA organization slightly to embed international aspects of things in our core business. As we develop policy for example, the policy organization of TSA will be a policy organization that looks at both domestic policy as well as international policy.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is working to raise the baseline for aviation security across the globe by putting in place strengthened security measures, both seen and unseen, at all last-point-of-departure airports in 105 countries around world. These measures will be carried out in phases with our international partners.
The strengthened security measures are both seen and unseen, and passengers flying to the United States may experience additional screening of their person, property, and electronic devices. This enhanced screening may result in longer wait times, and travelers are encouraged to arrive early for flights. There are no changes to items allowed in carry-on and checked baggage.
A: Terrorist groups continue to target passenger aircraft, and The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has seen a web of threats to commercial aviation as terrorists pursue new attack methods. DHS continues to work with international partners to raise the baseline of global aviation security to keep the traveling public safe.
A: The Transportation Security Agency (TSA) lifted the restrictions on large personal electronic devices for the ten airports/nine airlines in the Middle East and North Africa, announced in March. These airports and airlines have successfully implemented the first phase of enhanced security measures. For additional information, read the FAQ and Fact Sheet.
A: As announced earlier this year, the Secretary of Homeland Security determined it is necessary to require enhanced security for all commercial flights to the United States. These measures both seen and unseen, include but are not limited to:
A: These new measures will impact all flights from airports that serve as last points of departure locations to the United States. The exact number of flights will vary on a day to day basis, but it will affect approximately 2,100 flights daily.
A: The security measures affect all individuals, international passengers and U.S. citizens, traveling to the United States from a last point of departure international location. The general screening process will remain largely the same, but passengers may notice heightened screening requirements and are encouraged to cooperate with airline representatives, screeners, and officials.
Terrorist propaganda has highlighted the attacks against aircraft in Egypt with a soda can packed with explosives in October 2015, and in Somalia using an explosives-laden laptop in February 2016. We have also seen recent attacks conducted at airports to include Brussels and Istanbul.
Terrorists tried to hide explosives in shoes in 2001, use liquid explosives in 2006, conceal explosives in printers in 2010, and place suicide devices in underwear in 2009 and 2012. For more information, visit TSA website: Transportation Security Timeline
A: TSA will continue to asses foreign airports and inspect airlines to ensure all U.S. regulations and international security standards are being met at last point of departure airports to the United States.
A: These new enhanced security measures were developed to effectively mitigate threats to aviation with minimum passenger inconvenience. Aviation partners that do not fulfill the security requirements within certain timeframes may still be subject to additional restrictions being imposed, including a ban on large personal electronic devices on aircraft.
A: These measures apply to commercial flights headed into the United States; however, TSA has taken steps to mitigate threats domestically and ensure appropriate security measures for the protection of the traveling public.
A: The U.S. government is constantly working to strengthen and expand our security posture in response to the evolving threat. From developing next generation screening technology in laboratories to preparing and sharing intelligence on threat, we are fully engaged in raising the security standards at home as well as around the world. The following are a few examples of measures underway domestically:
A: Raising the baseline on global aviation security requires a long-term commitment from the United States and our international partners, and we understand that it takes time to fully implement new security measures, which is why a phased approach was most practical.
A: DHS/TSA will work with aviation partners to ensure these enhanced security measures are fully implemented through actions such as inspections, working-level technical exchanges, and ongoing capacity building efforts.
A: These enhanced security measures are an important step, but as threats continue to evolve, we, and our partners around the world, must continue to respond. We will do this by working together to improve intelligence sharing and standardize best practices, while also seeking out advanced technology, expanded canine screening, and establishment of additional preclearance locations that will make flying more secure for everyone.
A: Airlines that do not comply may face penalties such as being subjected to additional security restrictions, including a ban on large personal electronic devices on the aircraft, civil penalties, or even suspension of flights to the United States.
A: We cannot discuss specific details related to compliance of specific airports or airlines. Aviation partners that do not fulfill the security requirements within certain timeframes may still be subject to additional restrictions being imposed, including a ban on large personal electronic devices on aircraft.
The Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has taken actions, such as establishing procedures and training, that can help to prevent the potential for discrimination in its airline passenger screening practices. However, it has not assessed the extent to which these practices may result in certain passengers being referred for additional screening more often than others. For example, TSA officials in all four airports GAO visited and representatives from the seven stakeholder organizations GAO interviewed stated that TSA's advanced imaging technology or other practices could result in certain passengers being referred for additional screening more frequently than others. These include transgender passengers or those who wear religious headwear or have disabilities. TSA has not collected data on referrals for additional screening and conducted assessments to determine the extent to which this occurs. Such data collection and assessments could help TSA identify any actions needed to better comply with agency policies that prohibit discrimination.
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