In the interest of keeping my published materials updated (the textbook Practical Aviation Security, and the Airport Certified Employee – Security materials, I need to notify readers that on January 22, 2025, the Trump Administration eliminated the members of the Aviation Security Advisory Committee (ASAC), along with numerous other advisory committees. A DHS-wide Memorandum was sent to terminate any memberships on DHS committees, with apparently the action being taken to eliminate misuse of resources.
ASAC started after the 1988 bombing of Pan Am 103 in which 270 people were killed, as a way for government and industry to work together to establish aviation security measures to improve aviation security, while still allowing the system to function. Apparently, the committee remains but without any members. Very few details are available about what will replace, if anything, the committee or the work that it does. Please reference the AP article for more details.
To recognize the work ASAC has done in the past to improve aviation security can be found in its reports, including the promotion of aviation worker inspection programs designed to mitigate insider threats. ASAC also generated guidelines for general aviation airports (which are largely unregulated from a TSA perspective) and made recommendations on improving security at U.S., checkpoints.
In the interest of time, I went to ChatGPT to provide a summary of the roles and work of the ASAC:
The Aviation Security Advisory Committee (ASAC) provided numerous benefits to the aviation industry and the general public by enhancing security measures and fostering collaboration among stakeholders. Here are the key benefits:
Industry Collaboration
- Broad Representation: The ASAC brought together stakeholders from airlines, airports, labor unions, law enforcement, aviation manufacturers, and consumer advocacy groups. This ensured diverse perspectives in decision-making.
- Coordinated Responses: The committee facilitated industry-wide collaboration on emerging threats, ensuring a unified and effective response.
Expert Recommendations
- Informed Policies: The ASAC offered expert guidance to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) on security policies and procedures, grounded in real-world expertise and operational knowledge.
- Practical Solutions: Recommendations from the ASAC were actionable and tailored to address the complexities of modern aviation security.
Enhanced Security Measures
- Adoption of Best Practices: The ASAC developed and recommended best practices that were often implemented to improve security measures across the aviation sector.
- Focus on Emerging Threats: The committee helped identify and address vulnerabilities, such as cybersecurity risks, insider threats, and new technologies that could pose risks to aviation.
Victim Advocacy and Lessons Learned
- Post-Incident Guidance: The ASAC included representatives from groups associated with victims of aviation tragedies, ensuring their voices were heard in shaping policies to prevent similar incidents.
- Learning from the Past: Recommendations often drew on lessons from past incidents, such as the Pan Am 103 bombing, to close security gaps.
Bridging Government and Industry
- Information Sharing: The ASAC served as a vital channel for communication between government agencies and the private sector, improving transparency and trust.
- Public-Private Partnership: The collaboration strengthened the overall relationship between the TSA and the aviation industry.
Cost-Effective Security
- Efficient Resource Allocation: By leveraging the collective expertise of its members, the ASAC helped identify cost-effective measures that enhanced security without imposing unnecessary burdens on the industry.
- Risk-Based Approaches: The ASAC promoted a risk-based approach to aviation security, focusing resources where they were most needed.
Compliance with International Standards
- Alignment with ICAO: The ASAC supported compliance with the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) standards and recommended practices, ensuring global harmonization of security measures.
- Global Leadership: The committee helped maintain the U.S.’s leadership role in global aviation security efforts.
The ASAC’s dissolution has raised concerns about the loss of these collaborative benefits, as the committee played a pivotal role in shaping policies that balanced security, efficiency, and stakeholder interests.
According to the Associated Press article, “Members of the Aviation Security Advisory Committee received a memo Tuesday saying that the department is eliminating the membership of all advisory committees as part of a ‘commitment to eliminating the misuse of resources and ensuring that DHS activities prioritize our national security.’” However, no details were provided (as of yet) connecting the dissolution of the committees and the misuses of DHS resources, nor what’s going to replace it – if anything.
A list of former members of ASAC can be found on here: https://www.tsa.gov/for-industry/aviation-security-committee-members (if still available)
By Jeffrey C. Price
