Airport Security Outside TSA-Screened Areas to Increase

A bill recently introduced in the U.S. Senate would increase the security outside of TSA-screened areas.

• By Sydny Shepard
• May 22, 2018

A bill recently introduced in the U.S. Senate would increase the security outside of TSA-screened areas.

The Secure Airport Public Spaces Act would allow airports to use Federal Aviation Administration passenger facility charge funds collected on airport infrastructure projects to update their security infrastructure, mostly outside of screened areas.

The funds would be used to add fencing or barricades, install ballistic protective podiums and active shooter location technology, and store rifles. Eligible areas of an airport include baggage claims and pick up and drop off areas.

Airports would also be able to use Airport Improvement Program funds for the purchase of state of the art surveillance cameras in public areas.

The announcement of this bill comes on the heels of several airport incidents in the United States in the last few years, including the airport bombing in Brussels that happened outside a TSA screening area where 32 people died.