DEPLOYMENT OF IFSOS IN THE PASSENGER CABIN OF AIRCRAFT

POSITION PAPER

21POS14

21 December 2021

Deployment of IFSOs in the Passenger Cabin of an Aircraft

BACKGROUND

In principle, IFALPA believes that firearms should never be allowed in the passenger cabin of commercial air transport aircraft as they represent a threat to aircraft safety and security.

Nevertheless, the flight crew community accepts that States may mandate the deployment of armed In-Flight Security Officers (IFSOs) on board civil aircraft, subject to the provisions detailed in ICAO Annex 17, Chapter 4.7 and related Guidance Material in Doc 8973 (the Security Manual) Chapter 12.4.

Whilst IFALPA fully endorses these provisions, the Federation believes that the following recommendations should also be included:

• Once established, IFSO programmes should be reviewed periodically, in accordance with the National Civil Aviation Security Programme (NCASP).
• Training programmes for IFSOs should include first aid related to injuries acquired through the use of physical force.
• The pilot-in-command should be briefed by the IFSO team leader on at least the following items: the rules of engagement, the reason for deployment and, if applicable, the threat assessment and the number, nature, and location of the weapons and firearms carried by the IFSOs.

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