SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO CONGRESS ON THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE CIVIL AVIATION SECURITY PROGRAM (FROM LEGAL AND OTHER ASPECTS OF TERRORISM, 1979 - SEE NCJ-59775)

• NCJ Number: 59779
• Author(s): ANON
• Date Published: 1979
• Length: 48 pages
• Corporate Author: US Dept of Transportation; Practicing Law Institute
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

SPECIFIC THREATS AGAINST CIVIL AVIATION AND ACTIVITIES TO PROTECT CIVIL AIR COMMERCE ARE DISCUSSED IN THIS SEMIANNUAL REPORT TO THE CONGRESS ON THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE U.S. CIVIL AVIATION SECURITY PROGRAM.

Abstract

COVERING THE FIRST 6 MONTHS OF 1978, THIS REPORT CONTENDS THAT ACTS OF TERRORISM CONTINUE TO POSE A THREAT TO CIVIL AVIATION THROUGHOUT THE WORLD, PARTICULARLY IN EUROPE AND THE MIDDLE EAST. OF THE 14 AIR CARRIER HIJACKINGS OCCURRING DURING THIS REPORTING PERIOD, 1 WAS TERRORIST INSPIRED; OF THE 30 AIRLINE HIJACKINGS IN 1977, 5 INVOLVED TERRORISTS. OVERALL, 38 CRIMINAL ACTS AGAINST CIVIL AVIATION OCCURRED WORLDWIDE (THE U.S. EXPERIENCED 3 HIJACKINGS), RESULTING IN 29 DEATHS AND 112 INJURIES. THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE U.S. PASSENGER SCREENING SYSTEM IS EVIDENCED BY THE FEW INSTANCES OF SUCCESSFUL HIJACKING--ONLY ONE SINCE NOVEMBER 1972--AS COMPARED TO 44 SUCCESSFUL HIJACKINGS OF FOREIGN AIR CARRIERS DURING THIS PERIOD. THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION'S (FAA'S) APPROVED SECURITY PROGRAMS, ACCEPTED BY 36 U.S. AND 72 FOREIGN AIRLINES AND 35 AIR TAXI/COMMERCIAL OPERATORS, ARE BEING REVISED. A MAJOR REVISION WOULD PERMIT OFFICERS TO PATROL AIRPORT TERMINALS IF THEY COULD ALSO IMMEDIATLY RESPOND TO THE PASSENGER SCREENING POINT, IF NEEDED. ALSO, OPERATORS OF PUBLIC CHARTER FLIGHTS MUST INSTALL SECURITY PROGRAMS SIMILAR TO THOSE REQUIRED OF AIR CARRIERS, TO INCLUDE 100 PERCENT SCREENING OF PASSENGERS AND THEIR CARRY-ON LUGGAGE. NEW TECHNIQUES ARE BEING DEVELOPED TO DETECT EXPLOSIVES AT AIRPORTS, SUCH AS X-RAY ABSORPTION, NUCLEAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE, AND VAPOR DETECTION; AND INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS ARE COOPERATING TO PROMOTE MORE EFFECTIVE SAFEGUARDS IN CIVIL AVIATION SECURITY WORLDWIDE. MOREOVER, DURING THIS REPORTING PERIOD THE FAA COMPLETED 437 INVESTIGATIONS INVOLVING ALLEGED VIOLATIONS OF REGULATIONS BY AIRPORTS, U.S. AND FOREIGN AIR CARRIERS, AND BY PASSENGERS, RESULTING IN CIVIL PENALTIES AMOUNTING TO $12,000 FOR 18 OF THESE CASES. PASSENGER REACTIONS INDICATE THAT THE CURRENT PROCEDURES ARE DESIRED AND EXPECTED IN THE INTEREST OF AVIATION SECURITY. NUMEROUS GRAPHS, CHARTS, AND STATISTICAL TABLES ARE INCLUDED. (WJR)