Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09REYKJAVIK154
2009-09-11 15:15:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Reykjavik
Cable title:  

ICELANDAIR ON TRACK TO IMPLEMENT TSA REQUIREMENTS

Tags:  EAIR IC PGOV PREL 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0000
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHRK #0154 2541515
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 111515Z SEP 09
FM AMEMBASSY REYKJAVIK
TO RHMFISS/TSA HQ WASHINGTON DC
RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4155
INFO RUEAHLC/HOMELAND SECURITY CENTER WASHDC
C O N F I D E N T I A L REYKJAVIK 000154 

EEB FOR MOORE; TSA FOR LYNES, MELENDEZ, GARDENER, MONREAL,
AND PARTEN

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/01/2019
TAGS: EAIR IC PGOV PREL
SUBJECT: ICELANDAIR ON TRACK TO IMPLEMENT TSA REQUIREMENTS

Classified By: CDA WATSON FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D)

C O N F I D E N T I A L REYKJAVIK 000154

EEB FOR MOORE; TSA FOR LYNES, MELENDEZ, GARDENER, MONREAL,
AND PARTEN

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/01/2019
TAGS: EAIR IC PGOV PREL
SUBJECT: ICELANDAIR ON TRACK TO IMPLEMENT TSA REQUIREMENTS

Classified By: CDA WATSON FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D)


1. (C) Summary. On August 19, Craig Lynes, Acting TSA
Representative at U.S. Embassy London and Sandra Melendez,
TSA International Industry Representative, met with
representatives of Iceland's Civil Aviation Administration
and air carrier Icelandair to discuss outstanding issues
from a routine inspection of airline and airport security
procedures that took place August 4-6 at Keflavik Airport.
The meetings were very positive, and the Icelandic
authorities expressed a commitment to make requisite
changes. Many requirements have been implemented
since the inspection, and several longer-term issues are
being addressed. Icelandic officials were very receptive
to increasing communication with TSA and signed a
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to facilitate sharing
sensitive security information (SSI). Icelandic officials
also responded favorably to TSA's invitation to visit a
U.S. port of entry. End summary.


2. (C) TSA Officials Lynes and Melendez met with Petur
Maack, Director of the Icelandic Civil Aviation
Administration (CAA),and representatives of Icelandair on
August 19 to discuss a way forward after the TSA inspection
on August 4-6 of airline and airport security procedures at
Keflavik Airport. Icelandair has been proactive in
addressing many of the deficiencies identified during the
inspection. It reported that about 60 percent of the
issues had already been addressed and those remaining were
in progress. Several outstanding issues, however,
are not easy fixes. Some requirements, such as
implementing open, continuous screening, will requie
additional funds, which could be difficult to allocate as
the government is calling for a 10% budget cut in most
sectors. In other cases, such as examining footwear of
select passengers, the CAA must draft legal provisions and issue
directives. Despite the challenges,
Icelandic officials stated their commitment to work with
TSA make the necessary changes. TSA expressed a desire to
return to Iceland at a later date to assess the airport
again and verify that the requisite changes have been
made. Icelandic officials are amenable to the request.


3. (C) TSA made significant progress in increasing its
lines of communication with Icelandic aviation
officials. An MOU was signed to facilitate the sharing of
SSI. CAA Director Maack was receptive to implementing a
bilateral information sharing agreement between TSA and the
CAA so that separate MOUs for each issue, such as threat
guidance, would be unnecessary. Also, Maack was very
receptive to the invitation to view TSA operations at a
U.S. point of entry and meet with key TSA personnel.
Funding permitting, he would like to conduct the visit at
some point this winter.

WATSON