TSA REVIEWS KUWAITI AIRWAYS

UNCLAS KUWAIT 000834 SIPDIS NEA/ARP E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAIR ECON PTER PGOV PREL KU SUBJECT: TSA REVIEWS KUWAITI AIRWAYS ¶1. (U) Summary and Key Issues. On August 17, Ian Ross, International Industry Representative, Transportation Security Agency (TSA),briefed Econcouns and RSO on his meetings with Kamil Al-Awadhi, Head of Safety, Security & Emergency Response, Kuwaiti Airways (KA) and Fareed Al-Qattan, Deputy Head of Safety, Security and Emergency Response, KA to review: - Current 'watch list system' procedures (airline requirement to vet names against 'no fly list', individuals who are a perceived threat to aviation) and to the select match list (individuals who require a secondary screening); - Recent watch list incidents involving four overlooked passengers at KA JFK station (two names were test cases and two were individuals who were in the process of boarding a flight); - Observed current KA watch list passenger verification process; - Introduced the upcoming Secure Flight or APIS quick query (AQQ) systems; - Reviewed new TSA polices and provided updates on programs including the new cargo security regulations. ¶2. (U) TSA rep explained that he had reviewed KA's watch list passenger verification process in light of the recent incidents. He felt KA was responsive to TSA's concerns and now had a better understanding of the passenger check-in policy. While KA currently completes their checks manually by cross-checking passenger lists with watch lists, the process is adequate. The issue of concern remains with the KA station office in JFK. Ross speculated that that station may not have been fully trained on the passenger check-in procedures and as a result two test passengers listed on the 'selectee list' and two passengers on the 'selectee list' during actual boarding were able to board flights at JFK within the last two months without being processed as matches to the selectee list. In all cases KA JFK failed to communicate with KA HQ in Kuwait. ¶3. (U) TSA rep described for the Kuwaitis the newest passenger check-in process, 'secure flight', which is approximately one year away from implementation with KA and will alleviate responsibility of the airline to complete a cross check of their passenger list to the 'no fly' or 'selectee list'. During meetings with TSA, KA welcomed the new system as it would ease potential fines imposed for violations of security regulations. The program is also intended to reduce misidentification of passengers. ¶4. (U) TSA rep reviewed the new cargo security policies with KA. Currently airlines are required to screen 50% of cargo traveling on passenger aircraft on flights from the U.S. He went on to state that by August 2010 Congress mandated that 100% of cargo traveling on passenger aircraft must be screened. TSA stated they are working with those impacted by the new regulation to see what can be done to streamline the process, including the new Certified Cargo Screening Program (CCSP). ¶5. (U) Comment: This visit responded to specific incidents at KA's JFK station. A second TSA visit will take place at the end of September and involve security reviews of all direct flights to the US including KA and United Airlines (UA). TSA plans to engage civil aviation officials in the September visit. End comment. ¶6. (U) Ian Ross, International Industry Representative, Transportation Security Agency (TSA) has cleared this message. ********************************************* ********* For more reporting from Embassy Kuwait, visit: visit Kuwait's Classified Website at: http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/Portal:Kuwa it ********************************************* ********* WILLIAMS