Draft Aircraft Security Rules, 2022

In News

• The Ministry of Civil Aviation has notified the draft Aircraft Security Rules, 2022.

About Draft Aircraft Security Rules, 2022

• The rules will supersede Aircraft Security Rules, 2011 and were necessary after Parliament passed Aircraft Amendment Act, 2020 in September 2020, giving statutory powers to BCAS, along with the Director General of Civil Aviation and Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau. 
• It will enable the aviation security regulator, Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) to impose penalties up to ?1 crore on airports and airlines for violation of security measures.
  • the BCAS will also be able to suspend or cancel an entity’s airport security clearance and security programme.

• In order to deal with cyber security threats, the rules also require each entity to protect its information and communication technology systems against unauthorized use and prohibit disclosure of sensitive aviation security information. 
• The draft rules now authorise airports to engage private security agents instead of CISF personnel at “non-core areas” and assign security duties as per the recommendation of the National Civil Aviation Policy, 2016.

Significance 

• Once the Aircraft Security Rules 2022 are finalised, they will go a long way in ensuring an effective aviation security apparatus in the country. 

Source: TH