Air Transport Association Commends TSA Known-Traveler Pilot Program

Positive Step to Improving Security, Travel Experience

WASHINGTON, July 14, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Air Transport Association of America (ATA), the industry trade organization for the leading U.S. airlines, today praised the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) for launching a known-traveler program, and expressed its commitment to partner with the TSA in the coming months on the test program for a new, expedited screening protocol for select airline passengers.  

"We commend Administrator Pistole for his work in implementing risk-based, intelligence-driven programs that further enhance our security while improving the travel experience for all passengers," said ATA President and CEO Nicholas E. Calio. "Allowing TSA to focus its finite resources on that which creates the greatest threat is both good policy and good security."

As early as this week, select frequent flyers of ATA members American Airlines and Delta Air Lines will be notified of their eligibility. Those passengers who are nominated for this optional program will then have to opt-in with one of the two airlines. Later this fall, the expedited screening process will be made available for Delta passengers at Atlanta and Detroit airports and for American passengers at Dallas/Fort Worth and Miami airports. The pilot also will be offered to members of several existing U.S. government Trusted Traveler programs.

If the proof of concept is successful, ATA expects that a second phase will include other member airlines: Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines, US Airways and United Airlines.  

ABOUT ATA
Annually, commercial aviation helps drive more than $1 trillion in U.S. economic activity and nearly 11 million U.S. jobs. ATA airline members and their affiliates transport more than 90 percent of all U.S. airline passenger and cargo traffic. For more information about the airline industry, visit www.airlines.org and follow us on Twitter @airlinesassn.

SOURCE Air Transport Association