ABSTRACT

Certainly the quality and quantity of security in foreign airports varies from country to country. Title V of the International Security and Development Act of 1985 authorizes the U.S. Secretary of Transportation to determine that an airport maintains effective security measures. Basically, if a condition exists that threatens the safety or security of passengers, aircraft, or crew traveling to or from a foreign airport, the Secretary of State is supposed to be notified. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) assesses, in conjunction with local host government authorities, the security of airports that are served by U.S. carriers or served by foreign carriers flying directly to the United States. Assessments are based on the provisions of International Standards and Recommended Practices of Annex 17 of the Chicago Convention supplemented by European Union Document 30.