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Aviation Security: FAA's Assessments of Foreign Airports

RCED-89-45 Published: Dec 07, 1988. Publicly Released: Dec 28, 1988.
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Highlights

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO: (1) evaluated the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) methodology for assessing security at foreign airports, focusing on those airports at high risk of terrorist and other criminal activities; and (2) provided information on how the Department of State used its Anti-Terrorism Assistance Program funds to enhance foreign airport security.

Recommendations

Recommendations for Executive Action

Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Department of Transportation To strengthen the foreign airport assessment program, the Secretary of Transportation should direct the Administrator, FAA, to make some analysis of host country security systems testing as part of FAA foreign airport security assessments. Where practicable, this could include observing and evaluating host country tests of security systems to assess the operational effectiveness of various security measures.
Closed – Implemented
FAA revised its airport inspection procedures for security at foreign airports.
Department of Transportation To strengthen the foreign airport assessment program, the Secretary of Transportation should direct the Administrator, FAA, to develop procedures for informing the Department of State of training needs, identified during foreign airport assessments, that could be met through State's Anti-Terrorism Assistance Program.
Closed – Implemented
FAA is supplying more relevant and useful information on airport security to the State Department.

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Topics

Homeland Security
Airport securityAirportsAviation securityCriminal activitiesEmployee trainingFacility securityInspectionInternational organizationsInternational relationsRegulatory agenciesSafety standardsSecurity assessmentsTerrorismTransportation safety