The U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security recently released a report on America’s airports that detailed how inconsistencies in aviation security continue to pose a threat to the public in the fight against terrorism.
The report, titled America’s Airports: The Threat From Within, is the result of a two-year long investigation by Rep. John Katko’s
(R-NY) Subcommittee on Transportation and Protective Security.
The report noted that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) at a majority of airports still does not have full screening for employees at secure access points. Typical security practices involve randomized screening of TSA officers or law enforcement personnel instead of screening every employee.
“At a time when we face increased threats from homegrown radicalization and lone-wolf terrorism, we must ensure that our airport access controls are strong and that we are doing all we can to mitigate the insider threat to aviation security,” Katko said.
The report also pointed to inconsistent practices by various airports in educating their credentialed populations on responsibly using their access to report suspicious activities.
“The recommendations outlined in this report, along with the requirements of the Aviation Employee Screening and Security Enhancement Act of 2017, which I introduced today, will serve as a roadmap for TSA, airports, and air carriers to close security vulnerabilities at our nation’s airports,” Katko said. “Our nation’s aviation system is interconnected, and we are only as secure as our least secure airport.”