News

Homeland Security proposes to tighten Private Aviation Security

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is proposing to extend security rules and regulations on private jets.

Some of the proposed security checks to be implemented are finger-print background checks on pilots, cross-referencing passenger names against a government watch list, and restricting carry-on items on the plane. The proposal will affect 10,000 previously exempt air operators, including big name businessmen and celebrities who own private jets. 

This has already triggered resentment from many private jet owners. Organizations that own private jets have already placed complaints about the issue. That’s why the Transportation Department has scheduled a series of public meetings to resolve pending issues and complaints.

“Businesses have airplanes in order to transport what they produce, sometimes because it’s too difficult or impossible to carry onto an airliner,” said Ed Bolen, president of the National Business Aviation Association. “Tool companies that can’t take their own products, sporting goods companies that can’t take their own products on to their own airplanes, that doesn’t make sense.”

In the proposal’s notice, which was published in the October issue of the Federal Registrar, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) suggested that improvements in commercial airplane security have exposed security weaknesses of private aviation security. Thus, the TSA said “Terrorists may view general aviation aircraft as more vulnerable and thus attractive targets.”