The two main industry bodies representing Europe’s airports and airlines have agreed to collaborate in a long-term joint initiative on security.      The security committees of the Airports Council International Europe (ACI Europe) and the Association of European Airlines (AEA), meeting together in Madrid, have announced the European Strategic Partnership for Aviation Security (ESPAS) to address shortcomings in the current system.
     Through ESPAS, airports and airlines will seek to establish a common industry security policy and act jointly with European rule makers to remedy shortcomings in the current system to provide coherent, workable security measures that benefit both industry and the traveling public alike.
     Olivier Jankovec, Director General, ACI Europe said:
     “We welcome recent moves by the European Commission to harmonize the existing framework, but too often, new security measures, rather than address what is probable, address what is possible.
     “Such a method is untargeted, inefficient and unsustainable.
     “Any new security rule should focus specifically on the threat or risk that needs to be eliminated, taking account of the impact on passenger mobility and convenience, operations and cost.”
     Said AEA Secretary General Ulrich Schulte-Strathaus pictured above:
     “The interface between airlines and airports is the point at which security has to be at its most effective – and at its most efficient.
     “The ESPAS partnership represents a natural coalition, and I am confident that our work together will assist the policy-makers and serve the best interests of our passengers.”