Aviation and Airport

TSA announces Registered Traveller program compliance standards
Agency regulators move forward despite concerns that rising costs may eventually kill program; two week public comment period begins; issues of concern include IT security and privacy rules, enrollment standards, and ongoing compliance methods
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CACI and TSA in new five year deal
CACI and TSA in new five year deal
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Day of highjack-proof aircraft nears
Some cars already have a built-in security device which disables the car’s engine if an unauthorized person tries to drive the car away; a similar system is now being developed for the future highjack-proof plane; a biometric access control device at the cockpit door will alert the computerized security system if an unauthorized person enters the cockpit; the system will then seize control of the plane and guide it to the nearest airport, avoiding tall buildings
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Officials downplay the future of counter-MANPAD technologies
Despite $45 million to Northrop Grumman and BAE, little enthusiasm exists for full deployment; planners are unwilling to commit in face of rocket-propelled grenade and machine gun risks; cost remains a major issue as wll
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Mounting fees may kill Registered Traveler Program
TSA announces it will charge additional $70 to pay for additional screening staff; at total estimated cost of $200 per passenger, price may be too high
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Liquid bomb plot devastated British airline industry
Airlines operator BAA and British Airways report significant monthly losses on travel decline and heightened security costs; Ryanair to sue British government for reimbursement; can the airline industry afford to be so sensitive to threats?
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LAX announces new baggage drop-off program
Program will ease security efforts by minimizing ticket and skycap lines; 2004 shoot-out at El Al counter exposed vulnerabilities; passengers will pay $5 fee to drop bags off in Los Angeles locations and receive a ride to the airport
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Airforwarders indignant about cargo security criticism
Industry association believes government programs, shipper initiatives, sufficient; concerns about costs and delay drive response
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OptoSecurity in talks with major airport security integrators
Proprietary technology identifies dangerous objects at the speed of light; system easily integrated into existing X-ray scanners; postal service an emerging market
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Industry reports bright future for transportation security sector
Political pressure mounting after European train attacks; U.S. government to spend $1 billion over the next three years; video surveillance systems, explosives detection equipment, and analytical software among major needs
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GE's Checkpoint of the Future irons out the kinks
Despite recent problems with puffer machines, GE remains on the cusp of a comprehensive, thirty-second airline screening solution
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EU-US negotiations over flight data to begin Friday
Officials will try to reach accord on passenger name records; 30 September deadline set by European Court of Justice; airlines face $6000 per passenger fines if talks fail
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L-3 to supply Kansai Airport with screening equipment
Eight VIS 108 and four eXaminer 3DX explosives detection systems on their way to Japan; VIS 108 a popular choice for airports; sales vindicate 2002 purchase of PerkinElmer’s Detection Systems division
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Coalition for Luggage Security promotes postal delivery
Separating luggage from passengers said to improve safety by minimizing bomb threats; move would free up space for lucrative cargo shipping; security concerns remain as long as cargo remains underinspected
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TSA decides to suspend installation of trace detection portals
Announcement follows roll-out delays, concerns about reliability; dirty air a major problem; decision a blow to GE and Smiths; criticism of TSA and DHS laboratories grows
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