NATA President and CEO Curt Castagna and NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen recently authored a joint Stars and Stripes opinion opinion column responding to critics of public charter operation security. At the center of their response is a straightforward point: the location from which passengers board an aircraft does not determine the security of an operation. Public charter operators work closely with the Transportation Security Administration to maintain security in every location, implementing measures determined by TSA’s expert assessment of the operation’s characteristics.
“In fact, TSA enhanced security requirements last year and public charter operators made significant investments to implement additional measures — proof that the agency already possesses the authority and expertise to adjust security programs. TSA does not need legislation directing them to create a rule when they’ve already taken action,” wrote Castagna and Bolen. “Business aviation will continue to work closely in partnership with TSA, the FBI, and federal, state and local law enforcement every single day to maintain security. Safety and security are our highest priorities. That won’t change.”