EU breakthrough imminent to “simplify” aviation security agreements

Tina Milton

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ETRC has praised the European Union's proposal to waive requirements for bi-lateral agreements with other states to simplify the framework for the recognition of aviation security standards

The European Union (EU) is poised to make a major breakthrough on the aviation security issue.

The EU plans drop the need for bi-lateral agreements with other states and replace it with a simple scheme to assess the aviation security initiatives on an individual basis, with some set criteria.

The initiative requires a change to the current aviation security regulations, which are due to be agreed by the EU Commission’s Aviation Security Commission on May 30.

The amendments will allow countries to join a list of EU partner nations by fulfilling set terms, which are likely to be simpler than the requirements of bilateral agreements. These criteria will include the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) standards, already adopted by many countries. If approved the move could stop the need for the confiscation of liquid purchases by the summer.

European Travel Retail Council president Frank O’Connell welcomed the breakthrough and praised the EU for its “creative thinking” towards the issue to prompt a fast resolution. 

“There will be very fundamental criteria – the participating countries must recognise the Commission’s confidence to do this and some, as yet, don’t. Countries need to have some agreement with the EU as a basic starting point and the ICAO standards will apply. This issue has been pushed to the top of the agenda as the European Parliament became involved and saw the need for a quick solution. The mandate [from all 27 European member states] laid down the foundations for the process but this is a pragmatic approach and the EU should be complemented on it.”

If the amendments to the regulations are approved, the EU may accept many of the security procedures already installed at  non-EU states.  Hub airports with a high number of transit passengers will be the priority. Once accepted,  passengers from approved countries could transfer though EU airports with their liquid purchases without the worry of confiscation.

But O’Connell said the industry should not be complacent  and should use the period from now until the meeting on May 30 to assess and document their current security regimes.  “Travel retailers  should  continue to  push their governments to speak to the EC,” he insisted. “Those governments outside the EU should make contact with the EU, to talk about solving the issue. The great majority have yet to do this. Doing so will open the door for agreements to be reached and countries such as Singapore, which have been proactive, will feel the benefit.”

O’Connell explained he hoped that the EU would adopted a similarly creative approach countries without air service agreements such as Japan.