Over 3,000 Airspace Violations Reported
Jim Kouri, CPP
July 25, 2005
The Federal Aviation Administration reported about 3,400 violations of restricted airspace from September 12, 2001, to December 31, 2004, most of which were committed by general aviation pilots.
Violations can occur because pilots may divert from their flight plan to avoid bad weather, the Administration may establish newly restricted airspace with little warning, and pilots in the air may be unaware of the new restrictions, or pilots do not check for notices of restrictions, as required. Also, terrorists may deliberately enter restricted airspace to test the government's response or carry out an attack.
One government official claims this is a serious problem considering the timeline between an intentional violation and an actual terrorist attack using an aircraft in a Kamikaze-type attack.
"The problem of airspace violations is one needing constant attention by several agencies including the military," he said.
Federal agencies have acted individually or have coordinated to enhance aviation security. For example, the Transportation Security Administration established a national operations center that disseminates operational- and intelligence-related information, and has enhanced passenger and checked baggage screening, secured cockpit doors, and assessed the risk to some, but not all, commercial airports.
Also, few general aviation airport owners have conducted risk assessments. The North American Aerospace Defense Command's mission was expanded to include monitoring domestic air traffic and conducting air patrols. Collectively, the agencies are operating the National Capital Region Coordination Center to secure the National Capital Region.
The General Accounting Office identified gaps in the simultaneous, time-critical, multi-agency response to airspace violations. While it may not be possible to prevent all violations or deter all attacks, GAO identified some gaps in policies and procedures. Specifically, the agencies were operating without an organization in the lead. They also lacked: fully developed interagency policies and procedures for the airspace violations response teleconferencing system; information sharing protocols and procedures; or accepted definitions of a violation. As a result, opportunities may be missed to enhance the security of US aviation, according to the GAO study.
Sources: General Accounting Office, Transportation Security Administration, Federal Aviation Administration, National Security Institute
Violations can occur because pilots may divert from their flight plan to avoid bad weather, the Administration may establish newly restricted airspace with little warning, and pilots in the air may be unaware of the new restrictions, or pilots do not check for notices of restrictions, as required. Also, terrorists may deliberately enter restricted airspace to test the government's response or carry out an attack.
One government official claims this is a serious problem considering the timeline between an intentional violation and an actual terrorist attack using an aircraft in a Kamikaze-type attack.
"The problem of airspace violations is one needing constant attention by several agencies including the military," he said.
Federal agencies have acted individually or have coordinated to enhance aviation security. For example, the Transportation Security Administration established a national operations center that disseminates operational- and intelligence-related information, and has enhanced passenger and checked baggage screening, secured cockpit doors, and assessed the risk to some, but not all, commercial airports.
Also, few general aviation airport owners have conducted risk assessments. The North American Aerospace Defense Command's mission was expanded to include monitoring domestic air traffic and conducting air patrols. Collectively, the agencies are operating the National Capital Region Coordination Center to secure the National Capital Region.
The General Accounting Office identified gaps in the simultaneous, time-critical, multi-agency response to airspace violations. While it may not be possible to prevent all violations or deter all attacks, GAO identified some gaps in policies and procedures. Specifically, the agencies were operating without an organization in the lead. They also lacked: fully developed interagency policies and procedures for the airspace violations response teleconferencing system; information sharing protocols and procedures; or accepted definitions of a violation. As a result, opportunities may be missed to enhance the security of US aviation, according to the GAO study.
Sources: General Accounting Office, Transportation Security Administration, Federal Aviation Administration, National Security Institute
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