Business aviation doesn’t need new laws to ensure safety and security

ABOUT THE AUTHORS: Ed Bolen is president and CEO of the National Business Aviation Association in Washington. Curt Castagna is president and CEO of the National Air Transportation Association, also in Washington.

The Aug. 26 Opinion column “Closing the national security loophole in the skies” is a solution looking for a problem. It proposes expanding a new government regulation without regard for recent Transportation Security Administration security enhancements.

These are the facts: The location from which passengers board an aircraft does not determine the security of an operation. Every charter flight in the U.S. is subject to TSA’s security program and supervision based on the operation’s characteristics and the agency’s assessed risk. Everyone who boards a public charter flight is vetted against federal watchlists, and every passenger and bag is screened.

In fact, TSA enhanced security requirements last year and public charter operators made significant investments to implement additional measures — proof that the agency already possesses the authority and expertise to adjust security programs. TSA does not need legislation directing them to create a rule when they’ve already taken action.

The op-ed author acknowledged that “critics of expanding TSA’s footprint have a reasonable argument.” Indeed, we do. There has not been a successful attack on U.S. aviation in more than two decades. It’s not luck. It’s due to concerted work and cooperation between all sectors of the aviation industry and the federal government.

Business aviation will continue to work closely in partnership with TSA, the FBI, and federal, state and local law enforcement every single day to maintain security. Safety and security are our highest priorities. That won’t change.

Congress should reject calls for new government regulations that don’t solve a problem and are intended to tilt the playing field for some companies over others.