Africa must increase aviation security -- John Pistole

United States, Transportation Security Administrator John Pistole has advised African aviation authorities to deploy risk-based security and intelligence-driven operations to prevent terrorist attacks and reduce the vulnerability of the continent's transportation system to terrorism.

This, he said, will allow dedicated transportation security officers to focus attention on travellers suspected to be more likely to pose risk to transportation networks while providing expedited screening, and perhaps a better travel experience, to those considered as posing less risk.

Mr. Pistole, speaking to Business and Financial Times in an exclusive interview in Accra, said: “I would urge African aviation industry security experts to continue employing risk-based, intelligence-driven operations to prevent terrorist attacks and reduce the vulnerability of the nation’s transportation system to terrorism."

“In the face of sequestration, countries should continue to implement an intelligence-driven, risk-based approach to security across all transportation modes while seeking operational and management efficiencies.”

TSA is the lead agency for protecting United States transportation systems from terrorist attacks, while ensuring the freedom of movement for people and commerce. The agency has the mandate to manage effective and efficient screening and security of all air passengers, baggage and cargo on passenger plans.

He revealed that each year, transportation systems protected by TSA accommodate nearly 640 million aviation passengers; 751 million passengers travelling on buses; more than nine billion passenger trips on mass transit; nearly 800,00 daily shipments of hazardous materials; more than 140,000 miles of railroad track; over 4 million miles of public roads; and nearly 2.6 million miles of pipeline.

Mr. Pistole disclosed that by the end of this month, certain items such as small pocket-knives and some types of sporting equipment will be removed from the lists of prohibited to items.

This is based on a number of considerations that are consistent with the United Stated laws and are aligned with the international security standards.

The decision to remove small knives from the prohibited items list has sparked criticism from both the airline industry and the public across the globe.

Pistole said he understands those concerns, but said if the  primary focus of the decision is to keep terrorists from blowing up and hijacking planes, then intelligence has shown small knives do not constitute a terrorism threat.

The decision will also bring planes flying to United States in line with international regulations, which have allowed small knives since 2010.


“This is an effort to help us accomplish several things. One is to help us focus on the greatest threat, and what we know from intelligence is the bombs and the improvised explosive devices are made with no metal, so they don't alarm metal detectors and can be concealed,” Pistole said.


He added: “Every day we interact closely with public and private sector stakeholders in the aviation, freight rail, mass transit and passenger rail, highway, and pipeline sectors to employ an intelligence-driven, risk-based security approach across all modes of transportation.


“When you consider the significance of transportation -- and in particular aviation -- to the strength and vitality of the global economy, the importance of securing every passenger, every bag and every piece of cargo cannot be overstated.”