Airport and Aviation Security - Research Paper Example

? Airport Security Airport Security This paper begins by making a of the organizations involved in the security of airports and their responsibilities. Specifically, this section discusses Airport Security Coordinator, Federal Security Director, Airport Administration, Transportation Security Administration, the Federal Aviation Administration, and the International Civil Aviation Organization. Airport Security Coordinator Airport Security Coordinator performs many functions relating to security in airports. To begin with, he coordinates all security matters within the airport on a daily basis. He also implements policies and programs as set out in the TSA airport security program. His function is also to undertake or appraise automated ID access control system specifically for regulatory compliance and accuracy (Elias, 2010). In this case, he also programs and even monitors computer systems that are designed specifically for controlling security access. The Airport Security Coordinator also performs TSAR 1542 compliance inspections and Security Program on top of reporting discrepancies and taking or initaiting corrective mechanisms. He also maintains records relating to security guard supplies and services. Furthermore, he reviews the process of the threat assessments, criminal history background checks, issuance of airport identification and revewing of retention process particularly for regulatory compliance. Airport Security Coordinator also establishes contact with local, state and federal law enforcement organizations and key security staff to establish lines of communication. In this context, he also sets up and maintains records of every action taken in relation to law enforcement. He is also responsible for conducting briefings, training sessions as well as presentations for tenants and management staff on revisions made to the ASP. In this regard, he specifically works with tenants in solving problems and coordinating security issues relating to airport security. The Federal Security Director (FSD) FSD is mandated with the responsibility of offering security directions on behalf of the federal government and is usually at airports that are perceived to have few checkpoints, a small workforce, as well as those that are directly involved or directly connected to the national interest. When it comes to TSA security matters, the FSD is responsible for providing necessary leadership and coordination. In short, these roles and associated authority comprise tactical planning, implementation, and operating management specifically for coordinated security matters. Airport adminstration The airport administration comprises of team that ensures the smooth, safe as well as consistent operation of airports (Price & Forrest, 2013). They also interface with appropriate local and federal agencies in relation to the airport security in addition to direct the daily operations in airports. In short, the airport administration is an independent entity that is responsible for carrying out daily operations and oversight of airports particularly in the context of security. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) The TSA is an organization of the United States Homeland Security department that oversees the security particularly of the traveling public in the country (Poole, 2006). The organization is also charged with developing regulations to protect United States transportation, particularly when it comes to the security of airports in addition to preventing the hijacking of aircrafts. In general, the TSA is manaded or responsible for passenger checking and screening at over 450 United Sttaes airports. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) The FAA is the national aviation authority of the USA. It falls under the transportation department and has exclusive authority to regulate and even oversee virtually all aspects of civil aviation in the US. In short, the FAA ensures the safety of passengers by not only regulating or controlling the air transportation industry, but also maintaining a countrywide network of controlling air traffic. It derives its legality from the 1958 federal Aviation Act. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) The ICAO is the specialized organization of the UN and is headquartered at Montreal Canada. The main objective of the ICAO is basically to promote the growth of international civil aviation in an ordely manner, setting uniform standards for marking of aircrafts, airworthiness, in addition to licensing of pilots who work across boarders. Its key strategic aims are to offer safe, secure, sustainable, as well as efficient international civil aviation, to curtail adverse impacts of aviation on the natural environment, in addition to enhnacing the policies governing global civil aviation. The agency also provides technical support to member countries, particularly in the training field. Section two This section discusses the various funding sources for Airport Security related expenses (such as perimeter fences, security screening, airport police, etc.), such as, Airport Improvement Program, Transportation Security Administration, Homeland Security, Federal Inspection Services, etc. First, it must be noted the US has not only the largest, but also the most extensive system of aviation in the entire world with close to 20,000 airports. These airport range from the largest, that is, airports that can handle more than 30 million passengers every year to small airstrips serving just a few people and aircrafts annually. Of these airports and airstrips, close to 4,000 are part of the national airport system and as such are eligible to receive assistance from the federal government. In the case where fundng is provided by the federal government, the interest federal government in such investment is guided by a number of objectives such as ensuring security and safety, preserving and strengthening the capacity of systems, assisting small commercial as well as general aviation airports, funding to help mitigate noise and environmental pollution. Although nearly all US commercial airports are owned by the state, the private sector significantly plays a major role in their financing. In short, the largest source of capital or financing particulalrly for the development of airports is tax-exempt bonds that are secured by revenue generated by airports and are also subject to the inspection of credit-rating organizations. Airport Improvement Program (AIP) In the United States, airport grant programs or simply airport improvement programs are are financed from fees and taxes collected specifically for that intention. For instance, in 2011, fees and taxes that were collected entailed a 7.5 percent charge on domestic ticket in addition to a US$3.70 on evenry person for all domestic flights. Other charges included an international arrival tax of US$16.30, a US$16.30 international departure tax, as well as a 6.25 percent tax levied on all domestic air freight. In short, these revenues once are earned are credited to the AATF, the agency responsible for funding improvements to airports as well as the air traffic control system across the country. In addition, the Federal Aviation Authority dispenses more than US$3.8 billion every year in the form of grants to airports specifically for projected undertaken by AIP. Passenger Facility Charge (PFC) The US airports since early 1990s have had the right to impose a US$3.00 fee to all airline passengers. This fee is also known as a PFC. This charge was increased in 2001 by Congress to $4.50 per segment and a cap of about US$18.00 specifically for a single round trip. Every Passenger Facility Charge is wholly tied to particular capital improvement projects specifically those that have been approved by the Federal Aviation Authority. The fee collection ends when the money needed to complete the intended project has been collected. Revenue Bonds Over 90 percent of debt accrued to the airports and especially that issued since early 1980s, has been connected to GARBs (the general airport revenue bonds), and are secured by the future revenue of an airport. However, it must be noted that not all capital improvements like the development of a new parking garage or terminal are funded through GARBs, sometimes are privately funded. Normally, revenue bonds are paid back with interest generated from the future income of the newly established facility. Previously, general obligation bonds, which are heavily supported by the power of the taxing unit of the government, were very common because they have stronger standing in the form of credit and, as such attracted lower financing expenses. The decline in the attractiveness of the general obligation bonds generally reflects the enhanced acceptance of the general airport revenue bonds by investors. However, general obligation bonds are still offered today. Specifically, they are issued by smaller airports that carry out commercial and general aviation services. They are specifically issued for the development of airports. References Elias, B. (2010). Airport and aviation security: U.S. policy and strategy in the age of global terrorism. Boca Raton, FL : CRC Press. Poole, R. (2006). Airport Security: Time for a New Model. Reason Foundation, 1-39. Price, J., & Forrest, J. (2013). Practical Aviation Security: Predicting and Preventing Future Threats. Oxford: Elsevier Science. Read More