Air freight executives to join transatlantic security group

Executives from private companies related to air cargo—including airlines, airports, and carriers such as FedEx and UPS—will be joining an advisory group for transatlantic aviation security that has been set up by the US and UK governments.

Members of the Transatlantic Aviation Industry Roundtable (TAIR) will have access to highly classified information relating to transatlantic aviation.

According to the US Department of Homeland Security, they will “engage and collaborate on matters and issues affecting trans-Atlantic aviation security including global improvement, information sharing, insider threat and cybersecurity and may provide policy advice and recommendations on such matters.”

However, the group will not have the power to establish government policy.

TAIR will be exempt from usual rules laid out by the US’ Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) which requires open sessions and a notice period prior to their becoming closed to the public.

The US government will be represented by members of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP). On the UK side, the Home Secretary, Transport Secretary, Director General and Under Secretary will be involved.

Source: Freight Waves

Header image: Shane Kell