Signature, which saw traffic at one of its most profitable U.S. locations dwindle after the imposition of TSA restrictions for general aviation flights into Washington D.C.’s Reagan National Airport (DCA), has been working steadily with the agency in an attempt to fill the 48 approved slots in and out of the airport. Of the 44 current gateway airports–from which a flight can proceed to DCA after undergoing screening at an approved FBO–Signature’s FBOs have received that designation at 28 of the locations. Mary Miller, Signature’s v-p of industry and government affairs said, “The close cooperation between the business and general aviation industry and the TSA has produced a more accessible plan for our customers traveling to the Washington, D.C. area,” and noted the company looks forward to increased activity at the airport in the future.

At the beginning of March, the agency implemented changes to the DCA Access Standard Security Program (DASSP) aimed at allowing approved operators greater flexibility when conducting flights to and from the airport. The most significant changes pertain to which aircraft is used for a specific flight as well as the crew composition. In addition, the agency issued a refined prohibited items list that is more appropriate to general aviation operations.