Lois Larson
Airport security is a critical aspect of ensuring the safety of passengers, staff, and aircraft. It involves various techniques and measures to protect against malicious harm, terrorism, and other threats. In the United States, airport security has been privatized at certain airports, with private contractors employed instead of federal government staff. Ultimately, the cost of airport security is covered by a combination of taxpayer money, aviation taxes and fees, and ticket charges passed on to passengers. This includes fees such as the September 11 Security Fee, implemented after the terrorist attacks, which is added to each ticket for flights originating in the United States.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who pays for security at airports in the US? | Passengers pay for security at US airports through the September 11 Security Fee, which is USD 5.60 per one-way trip and a maximum of USD 11.20 per round trip. |
| Who pays for security checks at airports with direct flights to the US? | The US government pays for additional security agents and checkpoints at airports with direct flights to the US. |
| Who provides security at airports? | Security at airports is provided by a mix of public and private entities, including police forces, private security contractors, local TSA-analogous government officers, airport staff, airline staff, and third-party "service providers". |
| Who pays for aviation infrastructure? | Aviation infrastructure is funded and/or owned by state, local, and/or federal governments, with costs recouped through various taxes on the aviation industry and passengers. |
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What You'll Learn
Passengers pay for security checks
Ultimately, the cost of aviation security is shared between the consumer, the airline, and the airport. In the United States, passengers pay a 9/11 Security Fee, also known as the September 11 Security Fee, for security checks. This fee is $5.60 for a one-way trip and $11.20 for a round trip. Passengers on public charter flights are also subject to this fee, which is collected by the public charter operator and remitted to the TSA. This fee is included in the ticket price, which consists of up to a dozen fees for different services.
In Canada, airport security is contracted out to third-party "service providers" such as G4S, Securitas, and GardaWorld, who train, manage, and employ the screening officers. Airports with higher traffic may also pay for a small contingent of local police officers to remain on site. In Australia, the Australian Federal Police is responsible for airport security, while in other countries, protection is controlled at the state or local level and can include a dedicated police force, a branch of the local police department, or members of a country's airport protection service.
While some passengers may view security checks as a nuisance, they are crucial for ensuring the safety of all individuals in an airport and on an aircraft. Airports are targets for terrorism and other forms of crime due to the high concentration of people in one place. Security checks help to prevent prohibited items and other threats from entering sterile areas of the airport and aircraft.
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Private security firms are contracted by airlines
In the United States, private security firms are contracted by airlines to carry out security measures. For instance, the staff conducting interviews for US-bound flights at Amsterdam Airport are private security firms contracted by the airline and/or their handling agent. Similarly, at San Francisco International Airport, the security personnel are employed by a private contractor instead of the federal government.
The Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) is responsible for pre-boarding passenger and random non-passenger screening. However, they contract out to third-party "service providers," such as G4S, Securitas, and GardaWorld, to train, manage, and employ screening officers.
While some countries may have a dedicated agency that oversees security at all of their airports, such as the Australian Federal Police, others delegate this responsibility to state or local authorities. For example, in the United States, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) plays a crucial role in aviation security. The TSA works closely with international partners to maintain aviation security standards and collaborates with the Department of Homeland Security to enhance security measures at foreign airports with direct flights to the US.
Ultimately, the cost of security measures is passed on to the consumer, the airline, and the airport. Passengers may encounter additional fees on their tickets, such as the September 11 Security Fee, implemented after the terrorist attacks, which is currently $5.60 per one-way trip and $11.20 for a round trip. These fees are collected by the airlines and remitted to the TSA.
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Government imposes taxes on the aviation industry
The cost of aviation security is often shared between the consumer, the airline, and the airport. In the United States, passengers pay a 9/11 security charge as part of their ticket. This fee is $5.60 per one-way trip and is remitted to the TSA. The fee for a round trip is capped at $11.20.
In Canada, the government privatized airport authorities in the 1990s, and they are now responsible for general airport security. They contract out to private companies and pay for a small number of local police officers to remain on-site.
In Australia, the Australian Federal Police are responsible for airport security.
The US Federal Aviation Administration notes that "the goal of aviation security is to prevent harm to aircraft, passengers, and crew, as well as support national security and counter-terrorism policy." To achieve this goal, various parties, including governments, airlines, and passengers, contribute to the funding of aviation security through taxes, fees, and charges.
Governments impose various taxes on the aviation industry to recoup the costs of airport infrastructure. These include passenger segment/facility taxes, specific taxes on aviation fuel, and federal air passenger excise taxes (such as the 7.5% excise tax mentioned earlier). These taxes are not unique to the United States, as most countries fund aviation infrastructure through similar taxes and fees on the aviation industry.
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Local police are paid for by airports
In some countries, airport security is controlled at the state or local level. This can include a police force dedicated to the airport, a branch of the local police department stationed at the airport, or members of a local police department assigned to the airport as their normal patrol area.
In Canada, for example, individual airport authorities contract out to private companies and, in the case of large airports, pay for a small group of local police officers to remain on-site. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), for instance, used to provide this service at most airports, but now only does so at a few, including Vancouver International Airport and Edmonton International Airport.
In the United States, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is in charge of airport security and picks and manages the contractors that have to follow TSA protocols. The TSA imposes a September 11 Security Fee of $5.60 per one-way trip in air transportation that originates at a US airport, with a maximum fee of $11.20 for a round trip. This fee is included in the ticket price and is paid by the passengers.
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TSA manages private security contractors
The TSA's Screening Partnership Program (SPP) allows commercial airports to opt for private companies to handle security screening under TSA oversight. Airports interested in joining the program can apply through their local Federal Security Director. Private security screening companies are subject to the same security screener hiring restrictions and challenges as the federal government. Contract screener candidates receive the same security background check and must meet the same medical requirements as prospective federal security screeners. Additionally, all contract screeners must attend all TSA-provided training, including training at the TSA Academy.
The TSA monitors vendor performance according to their contract, and the vendor must comply with all TSA standard operating procedures and operational directives. The private company providing security screening services ultimately determines the number of contract screeners hired. The TSA seeks to provide flexibility to the contractor to manage the operations as efficiently as possible while meeting security and customer service standards.
The Screening Partnership Program was created in response to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, which revealed weaknesses in existing airport security procedures. The TSA was created to address these weaknesses and protect passenger aviation. While the TSA has faced criticism for its operations, including long lines for screening and delays, it plays a crucial role in ensuring aviation security and safeguarding civil aviation against acts of unlawful interference, such as terrorism and sabotage.
The cost of security at airports is ultimately borne by passengers, who pay various fees as part of their airline tickets. These fees include charges for using airport facilities and security checks, and they contribute to the economic cost shared between consumers, airlines, and airports.
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Frequently asked questions
In the US, the cost of airport security is ultimately covered by the passenger. This is done through a variety of fees and taxes, such as the 9/11 Security Fee, which is added to the price of a ticket.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is the federal agency responsible for security in US airports. However, some airports have privatized security, with the TSA contracting private security firms to follow TSA protocols.
Outside the US, the cost of airport security is typically shared between the consumer, the airline, and the airport. Similar to the US, taxes and fees on aviation are imposed by governments to recoup the costs of airport infrastructure.
Outside the US, airport security is provided by a variety of entities. Some countries, like Australia, have a dedicated agency that protects all their airports, while in other countries, protection is controlled at the state or local level by police forces.
