NOVEMBER TSA ASSESSMENT REPORTS MAJOR IMPROVEMENT

C O N F I D E N T I A L NASSAU 000856 SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA/CAR E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/04/2014 TAGS: EAIR ECON PREL PGOV BF SUBJECT: NOVEMBER TSA ASSESSMENT REPORTS MAJOR IMPROVEMENT IN AIRPORT SECURITY REF: NASSAU 706 Classified By: CDA Zuniga-Brown for reasons 1.4(b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Summary: A TSA assessment team visited Nassau November 17 ) 26 to conduct a follow-up inspection of airport security procedures at Lynden Pindling International Airport (LPIA). The team noted &tremendous amounts of improvement8 to security procedures since their last visit in September 2008. The team was especially pleased with the improvements in access control to sterile and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) areas. In an outbrief with airport stakeholders, the team stressed the importance of maintenance and sustainability of current security procedures. The team stated LPIA successfully met the first set of requirements to scale down to one passenger screening security checkpoint. A TSA evaluation team will visit Nassau after the holidays to conduct the next steps in phasing down to one security checkpoint. End Summary. -------------- TSA Team &Surprised8 by Security Improvements -------------- ¶2. (C) A TSA assessment team visited Nassau November 17 ) 26 to conduct a follow-up inspection of airport security procedures at LPIA. The last assessment in September 2008 (reftel) showed several deficiencies, especially in the areas of access control. The team was impressed with how much security procedures had improved in just two months. Procedures for access control, employee supervision, and passenger security screening checkpoints now meet TSA standards. The TSA team noted the improvement in communication between Nassau Airport Development Company (NAD) and Airport Authority (AA) since their last visit and think this open dialog contributed to the success in LPIA,s current security procedures. In an outbrief with airport stakeholders, the team emphasized the importance of maintenance and sustainability of current security procedures. ¶3. (C) The TSA team also stated LPIA successfully met the first set of requirements to scale down to one passenger screening security checkpoint. Collapsing to one security checkpoint has been a major goal of NAD and AA for some time. NAD hopes to set up a series of stores and restaurants in the area currently used by the second security check point in order to generate additional revenue. A TSA evaluation team will visit Nassau after the holidays to conduct the next assessment in phasing down to one security checkpoint. ¶4. (C) Comment: Post set up an Airport Security Working Group after the September TSA assessment to address the security deficiencies at LPIA. Results of the meetings were immediate and it is clear the bi-weekly meetings have contributed to the current standards in airport security procedures. Airport stakeholders do not want to lose CBP presence in Nassau and they are more willing than ever to address longstanding concerns. TSA officials told post this is the best assessment report they have seen from LPIA in several years but they are concerned about the GCOB,s ability to sustain their current status. Post will continue with the working group meetings and emphasize the importance of sustainability. End Comment. ZUNIGA-BROWN