NASSAU AIRPORT PASSES TSA INSPECTIONS

UNCLAS NASSAU 000661

SIPDIS

PASS TO WHA/CAR JOSLYN MACK-WILSON
PASS TO EEB/TRA/OTP

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: BF ECON ETRD KHLS
SUBJECT: NASSAU AIRPORT PASSES TSA INSPECTIONS

REF: NASSAU 258


1. (U) SUMMARY: Nassau Airport finally passed Transportation
Security Administration (TSA checkpoint testing following
two years of failed security evaluations. Passing the tests
eliminated the need for a second security screening
checkpoint for U.S.-bound passengers; greatly reducing wait
times - a long-standing GCOB objective to improve tourist
travel. END SUMMARY

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Good News ) Shorter Wait Times, More Commercial Space
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2. (SBU) Nassau International Airport has finally passed
its Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoint
testing following two years of multiple failed security
evaluations. TSA representatives determined on October 16
that passenger screening at the airport is now comparable to
TSA standards. Once the Department of Homeland Security
certifies the evaluation, the airport will no longer require
two separate security screening checkpoints in the U.S.
departures terminal. The redundant checkpoints
significantly disrupted passenger flow; forcing U.S.-bound
passengers to arrive at the airport three hours in advance of
their flights in order to guarantee sufficient time to pass
through a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
pre-clearance facility queue, a Bahamian security checkpoint
and the TSA-standard checkpoint. The second screening area
also limited the amount of commercial space in the terminal.

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Need to Watch ) Sustaining Security Standards
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3. (SBU) TSA told the Nassau Airport Development (NAD),
Airport Authority (AA) and Ministry of Tourism and Aviation
(MoTA) officials that the key changes for passing inspection
included (Ref A) random property screenings, trace-machine
searches, elimination of opposite-gender pat-downs and the
proper use of handheld metal detectors. Airport Authority
management established a long-term training program for
screening staff and set up computerized training records.
The GCOB also hired an independent Canadian airport security
consultant to work with the AA and NAD to oversee the
corrective process When EconOff expressed concerns about
long-term sustainability, TSA reported that the GCOB decided
to keep the consultant on staff for an additional year. TSA
further indicated that they will establish a regional TSA
Representative (TSAR) to oversee all pre-clearance operations
in the region.


4. (SBU) COMMENT: This has been a major Post success. It
is the result of Post's intensive engagement with Bahamian
officials through its monthly Airport Security Working Group
(ASWG). (U.S. officials worked closely with airport
representatives to ensure accountability for action items and
to facilitate communication among the various interested
parties.) The presence of a TSAR in Nassau should assist the
Nassau Airport to maintain U.S. screening standards. END
COMMENT
AVANT