19POS14 SCREENING OF PERSONS OTHER THEN PASSENGERS

Position 19POS14 11 December 2019

Screening of Persons Other Than Passengers

BACKGROUND

ICAO defines screening as ”the application of technical or other means which are intended to identify and/or detect weapons, explosives or other dangerous devices, articles or substances which may be used to commit an act of unlawful interference.” This language, however, precludes the use of risk-based security systems in place of non-passenger screening processes, such as those used in the Known Crew Member (KCM) program in the United States. Moreover, it makes no mention of the security chain process (or the risk-based approach) necessary to weigh the associated risks of each employee group being allowed access to the sterile area of an airport.

POSITION

IFALPA believes that persons other than passengers, together with items carried, should be subjected to screening or security controls prior to entry into security restricted areas. Where 100% screening is not applied, the trustworthiness of the individual will be established by using enhanced electronic access control systems for the identity and access authorization of this individual. Screening should be conducted on a random and unpredictable basis proportionate to the level of risk as determined by a risk assessment carried out by relevant national authorities.

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