Security Shortlines

Air Safety Week, June 9, 2008

DHS Moves to Ease Travel to USA

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued the Interim Final Rule for the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) system, a new online process that is part of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Once ESTA is mandatory, all nationals or citizens of VWP countries who plan to travel to the United States for temporary business or pleasure will need to receive an electronic travel authorization prior to boarding a U.S.-bound airplane or cruise ship. The requirement will go into effect next year.

Currently, citizens of VWP countries complete a written I-94W form providing basic biographical, travel, and eligibility information while en-route to the U.S. With ESTA, VWP travelers will provide this information online prior to departure for the U.S.

ESTA applications may be submitted at any time prior to travel, and once approved, will be valid for up to two years or until the applicant's passport expires, whichever comes first. Authorizations will also be valid for multiple entries into the U.S. to facilitate the authorization process.

Air Marshals Prepare for Summer Olympics

With the eyes of the world on Olympic venues in Beijing, China this August, U.S. Air Marshals will be on hand to ensure aviation security. Chinese and American air marshal officials have worked out agreements to allow marshals from each country to travel to the other, significantly increasing security of trans-Pacific routes. Last summer, U.S. Federal Air Marshals hosted a training program in Atlantic City, NJ with members of the Chinese Air Marshal Program. During this training, techniques and philosophies like aircraft tactics, use-of- force applications, defensive measures, investigative techniques and tactical information sharing were exchanged, enhancing abilities and preparedness in both the U.S. and China. U.S. Federal Air Marshals were sent to Cyprus to support the evacuation of non-combatants during the civil unrest in Lebanon in 2006 and stood guard on international flights during the heightened threat to aviation security in London in August of 2006.

Coin-Sized Sensor Can Detect Bombs

A research team at the University of California at San Diego has created an inexpensive sensor the size of a penny that detects bombs made with improvised peroxide explosive devices. The researchers created small sensors using ultra thin films. The sensors are made of cobalt and copper and have a fast response time and sensitivity that enables them to detect even minute amounts of peroxide vapors. When peroxide is present, the film made of cobalt shows a reduction in current while the copper films show an increase.

Previous devices created for similar detection purposes were large and expensive. The current sensor cost less than a dollar per device. The university has applied for a patent on the ultrathin sensor, but its licensing has not been finalized. In the meantime, it has attracted the interest of potential licensing partners who favor its size, cost and additional potential use in commercial applications.

South Africa Establishes New Air Cargo Security Rules

The South African Civil Aviation Authority, (SACAA) has developed new regulations to govern how air cargo is handled and managed. The regulations go into effect in January 2009. The regulations are in line with the requirements of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). In terms of ICAO requirements, as stipulated in Annexure 17, "each Contracting State shall ensure that security controls are applied to air cargo and mail, prior to their being loaded onto an aircraft engaged in passenger commercial air transport operations." ICAO further requires each Contracting State "to ensure that operators do not accept air cargo or mail for carriage on an aircraft engaged in passenger commercial air transport operations unless the application of security

controls is confirmed and accounted for by a regulated agent, or such consignments are subjected to appropriate security controls." Also notable in the new regulations is a requirement that all organizations involved in the handling and transportation of air cargo will have to be approved and licensed by the SACAA. The regulations also require all staff employed to handle air cargo to be subjected to background checks and receive appropriate training, this essentially means that in future, anyone who is not qualified to handle air cargo will not be permitted to do so. SACAA is conducting a series of workshops with relevant parties to outline what is required from them. These regulations will be applicable to aircraft operators, air cargo handling agents, freight forwarders, courier organizations, shippers, airport operators and other relevant government agencies.

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