Security Rules for Foreign Repair Shops Proposed

Aircraft maintenance shops in the U.S. and abroad would undergo increased scrutiny to make sure they are not easy prey for terrorists looking to sabotage U.S. jetliners during routine repairs, under new security rules proposed by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

The TSA regulation would for the first time enable the federal agency to inspect airplane repair shops. If the TSA found a security problem, it would tell the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to suspend the repair shop's operating license.

The TSA is soliciting public comments on the proposal and could finalize it later this year.

According to TSA officials, the Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) would strengthen the Aircraft Repair Station Security Program by establishing security requirements for maintenance and repair work conducted on aircraft and aircraft components at domestic and foreign repair stations certificated by the FAA.

"The increased security protections proposed in the NPRM are designed to build on the extensive certification and safety requirements for repair stations instituted by the FAA," TSA noted.

"This proposed rule supplements FAA requirements that protect aircraft undergoing repairs from terrorist threats," said TSA Office of Security Operations Assistant Administrator Lee Kair. "By enhancing repair station security, this rulemaking guards against the potential threat of an aircraft being destroyed or used as a weapon."

The NPRM requires FAA-certificated foreign and domestic repair stations to adopt and carry out a standard TSA security program to safeguard the security of a repair station, the repair work conducted, and all aircraft and aircraft components at the station.

The program will require certificated stations to implement strict access controls, provide security awareness training, and allow for Department of Homeland Security (DHS) inspections.

TSA says the NPRM fulfills a legislative mandate to put forth security regulations for domestic and foreign aircraft repair stations.

The public has 60 days to comment on the NPRM once published in the Federal Register.

For more information, go to http://www.tsa.gov