Non-Subscriber Extract
Regulation on standard EU security systems awaits EC approval
By Peter D O'Neill
01 April 2008
Change could be in the air for EU aviation security if a regulation passed by the European Parliament (EP) in mid-March 2008 is approved by the European Commission (EC).
The EU could have a standard system of airside and airborne security within 12 months, rather than the usual two-year period for regulations to come into full play, an EP spokesman told Jane's.
The EP has been arguing for some time with officials at the Council of Transport Ministers but a compromise regulation was finally voted through on 10 March 2008, at its third reading, by 583 votes to 21, with 35 abstentions.
"Strict rules concerning sky marshals" had been responsible for deadlock at the first and second readings, an EP statement said.
The main thrust of the regulation passed by the EP covers screening of passengers and cabin baggage, access control, screening of hold baggage, aircraft security checks, security controls for cargo and mail, staff recruitment and training as well as patrols and other physical controls.
Transport Committee Chairman Paolo Costa told the EP on 10 March: "The new regulation allows us to react more flexibly.... Controls must be strict and efficient, but must not lead to excessive inconveniences [sic] for the passengers. Also, controls must not lead to useless costs as regards the application. New control measures must not be introduced without democratic control and verification, nor cause undistorted competition [between airports and air carriers]."