Security Policy Alert: TSA to Issue Final ASP Amendment on Employee Screening

April 26, 2023

TSA has informed AAAE that Administrator David Pekoske has approved and signed Airport Security Program (ASP) National Amendment 23-02 on Aviation Worker Screening. The amendment will be formally issued and published to the Homeland Security Information Network on April 27, 2023 with an effective date of September 25, 2023. 

In its message to AAAE, TSA stated that they know and understand this policy is significant and will require an investment by each of their security partners. However, TSA believes it is a necessary step towards mitigating insider threats. TSA stated that they are grateful for the partnership provided by AAAE and our airport members and that this amendment would not be as effective without a joint, collaborative effort. 

AAAE is disappointed that the agency did not meet our request to allow another round of formal notice and comment on the significantly revised ASP amendment. We are particularly concerned about the undervalued cost analysis provided to Congress that did not rely on actual airport operator cost estimates and impacts. We will continue our conversations on Capitol Hill about the cost and impact this unfunded mandate will have on airport operators who must now assume the role of security screening that was previously the sole domain of TSA.

TSA will host an industry call on May 3, 2023 and more information will be included with the HSIN posting.  We assume that interaction on the conference call will once again be limited or reserved only to the chat feature. As a result, AAAE will be submitting to TSA a list of questions for discussion and clarification prior to the call. Pease carefully review TSA-NA-23-02 once it is posted  and provide your questions and feedback to us as soon as possible prior to May 3.

As always, please do not hesitate to contact us if you need any additional information. We look forward to your feedback.