FROM: Margie Tower, Director-- Regulatory Affairs, AAAE
RE: Security Directive for GA Airports
DATE: May 6, 2003
We had sent this out last week, but due to concerns that it did not get out to all of the smaller airports, I am resending it again to a list that should include some of those airports that may have been inadvertently left off the first time.
Department of Homeland Security Advisory 03-019
Security Information for General Aviation Pilots/Airports
This advisory was produced by the Department of Homeland Security based on information and analysis from the Terrorist Threat Integration Center received during the last 24 hours.
THE CONTINUING THREAT TO AVIATION
Al-Qaida has long considered attacking US Homeland targets using light aircraft. Recent reliable reporting indicates that al-Qaida was in the late stages of planning an aerial suicide attack against the US Consulate in Karachi. Operatives were planning to pack a small fixed-wing aircraft or helicopter with explosives and crash it into the consulate. This plot and a similar plot last year to fly a small explosive-laden aircraft into a US warship in the Persian Gulf demonstrate al-Qaida's continued fixation with using explosive-laden small aircraft in attacks. General aviation aircraft that were loaded with explosives to enhance their destructive potential would make them the equivalent of a medium-sized truck bomb.
In consideration of the above information, the Department of Homeland Security asks members of the General Aviation community to report all unusual and suspicious activities. If you observe persons, aircraft, and operations that do not fit the customary pattern at your airport, you should immediately advise law enforcement authorities.
Your immediate action is requested for these items:
Increased vigilance should be directed toward the following:
NOTE:All charter operators subjected to the 12-5 rule, Standard Security Program and the Private Charter Security Program, are reminded to ensure compliance with these security requirements.
Persons should immediately report such activity to local law enforcement and the TSA General Aviation Hotline at 866-GASECUR (866-427-3287).
For more information contact AAAE at Margie.Tower@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Or ACI-NA -Dawn Lucini at dawn.lucini@xxxxxxxxxx <mailto:dawn.lucini@xxxxxxxxxx>
Margie Tower, C.M. Director Regulatory Affairs
Technical, Economic & GA Issues American Association of Airport Executives 601 Madison Street Suite 400 Alexandria, VA 22314 703 824-0500, Ext. 158 FAX: 703 820-1395 |
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Mark your calendar to attend AAAE's 75th Annual Conference and Exposition in Los Angeles, California, April 27-30, 2003!
For more information, visit http://www.airportnet.org/annual2003/.
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