U.S., EU Achieve Unprecedented Air Cargo Security Through Agreement

Photo: TSA

On June 1, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the European Commission announced an unprecedented air cargo security partnership with the European Union and Switzerland, paving the way for improved information sharing, stronger security, and more efficient transportation of cargo between the U.S. and the EU. Air cargo traffic between the EU and the U.S. amounts to over a million tons a year travelling each way across the Atlantic, which is over 20% of all outbound air cargo from the EU (2010 figures). Read more.

• Remarks Prepared for Delivery by TSA Administrator John S. Pistole AAAE / TSA / DHS Aviation Security Summit, Arlington, VA (2012-12-10)
• United States and Sierra Leone Sign Open Skies Air Transport Agreement (2012-09-10)
• Remarks by Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano: Achieving Security and Privacy (2012-05-03)

• TSA Announces Additional Advanced Imaging Technology Deployments at U.S. Airports (2012-01-26) | TSA Takes Further Steps to Enhance Passenger Privacy During Airport Scanning (2011-07-20)
• Secretary Napolitano Unveils National Strategy for Global Supply Chain Security (2012-01-25) | FACT SHEET: National Strategy for Global Supply Chain Security (2012-01-25)
• Remarks by the President on Transportation Bill and FAA Bill Extension (2011-08-31)

U.S.-EU Highlights

Sharing Airline Passenger Data Essential to Combating Terrorism and Serious Crime

Three senior officials from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security spent almost two hours on May 17 explaining to an attentive Brussels audience why airline passenger data is essential in the fight against terrorism and serious transnational crime. During the lively discussion on Passenger Name Record (PNR) data, General Counsel Ivan K. Fong, Chief Privacy Officer Mary Ellen Callahan, and Director of Customs and Border Protection Analysis and Targeting Thomas Bush provided specific examples of how PNR data has helped foil transatlantic terrorism plots in recent years, saving countless lives. Videos available here. More photos.

• Background Briefing: Senior Administration Official Provides a Readout of the European Union Emissions Trading System (ETS) Meeting (2012-08-01) | Preview of the EU Emissions Trading System Meeting (2012-07-30)
• Remarks by Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano: Achieving Security and Privacy (2012-05-03)
• Statement by U.S. Ambassador to the EU William E. Kennard following the European Parliament’s vote on the U.S.-EU Passenger Name Record agreement (2012-04-19) | Statement By Secretary Napolitano On The European Parliament's Vote On The Passenger Name Record (PNR) Agreement (2012-04-19)

• U.S., EU Achieve Unprecedented Air Cargo Security Through Agreement (2012-06-01)
• Secretary Napolitano's Remarks to the World Customs Organization Council in Bussels (2011-06-23) | U.S.-EU Joint Statement (PDF 392kb) | Readout of Secretary Napolitano's Visit to Brussels (2011-06-23)

• Statement by U.S. Ambassador to the EU, William E. Kennard on U.S.-EU PNR Agreement (2011-05-26)
• U.S. and EU Conclude Cooperation Agreement on Civil Aviation Safety (PDF 68kb) (2011-03-15)
• Secretary Napoletano at European Policy Center in Brussels: Securing the Global Supply Chain (2011-01-06) | Readout of Secretary Napolitano's Meetings with European Counterparts in Washington (2010-12-09) 
• U.S. and EU Sign 2nd-Stage Aviation Agreement (2010-06-24)