At a conference session here at EBACE this morning, delegates will hear an update on where business aviation stands in relation to long-awaited revisions to the European Commission’s EC2320 rules. As is the case with many other regulatory areas, the core concern for the European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) is whether the requirements will be proportionate and appropriate to a mode of operations that is fundamentally different from the airlines for which these rules were essentially conceived. The terrorist attacks in the U.S., Spain and London have forced countries to strengthen their transport security measures, but there is not always agreement on how far such measures can go before becoming invasive and overly expensive.
After the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, aviation security moved rapidly up the political agenda. The European Union adopted its first common rules in 2002, with detailed provisions on access to sensitive airport areas and aircraft, as well as passenger screening and baggage handling, control of cargo and mail, staff screening and training, and the classification of weapons and other items prohibited on board airplanes or in airports.
International Cooperation on Security Issues
In September 2005, the European Commission (EC) proposed amending its 2002 rules (outlined in the EC2320 legislation) and introduced the idea of placing armed air marshals on flights. Both the European Parliament and Council of Ministers supported the suggestions but stressed that placing armed officers on flights must remain subject to approval by states of departure, overflight and arrival.
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