Security issues of US agency on NAIA can be easily rectified — MIAA

THE US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) ended last week its observation of airline and airport operations, noting minor concerns about the security at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

Without disclosing the “simple reminders” on security given by the five-member TSA assessment team to the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), senior assistant general manager Vicente Guerzon Jr. said that the concerns could be easily rectified.

“There were minor observations inferred during the out-brief and could be rectified immediately,” Guerzon told the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

The TSA evaluated NAIA operations from June 1 to 3 covering the different operational systems including: terminal and ramp access control; security screening; quality control; the airport perimeter; the command center; and aircraft and cargo operations.

An observation report from the TSA is usually considered by the Federal Aviation Airport (FAA) in rating airports worldwide based on their compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) safety standards.

Guerzon said the TSA gave on June 4 the exit briefing following their inspection from May 27 to June 3 of airline firms, catering services, ground handlers and of the NAIA itself.

“The assessment result will be rendered formally in 45 to 60 days,” the MIAA senior assistant general manager told the Inquirer, taking exception to reports that the TSA had finalized its observation report and had found security wanting at the country’s premier airport.

The Department of Transportation and Communications-Office of Transport Security (DOTC-OTS), the TSA’s local counterpart, clarified that there has been no official observation report issued.

OTS spokesperson Jonathan Maliwat said that even if the TSA had given its exit briefing, the agency could not yet disclose observations made by the assessment team.

“Out of courtesy, we cannot do so. The TSA is our US counterpart,” Maliwat explained.

The TSA’s final observation report will be submitted to the OTS, which will in turn forward it to its mother agency, the DOTC.

The NAIA was included in category 1 airports by the FAA after a TSA audit in November 2013 found it compliant with ICAO standards.

A category 1 airport complies with ICAO regulations and its aviation safety standards, thus, direct flights of commercial airlines to the US are allowed.

Countries that do not comply with ICAO standards are given a category 2 rating by the FAA.

The NAIA was a category 2 in 2008 because of flaws in infrastructure, security procedures and equipment as well as its inadequate number of personnel. The rating caused the European Union to impose a ban on flights of Philippine air carriers.

NAIA was only upgraded to category 1 after an FAA review found that the airport has complied with ICAO standards particularly in the areas of: aviation regulations; system and safety oversight functions; employment of qualified inspectors; as well as technical guidance, certification, licensing and surveillance. SFM