The Department of Homeland Security is proposing to extend to private aviation many of the security rules imposed on commercial airlines. Operators of international private-plane flights to and from the U.S. would be required to electronically provide full lists of passengers and crew one hour before departure. There also would be some limits on what people can take on board.

The proposal could affect air operators, but also fractional jet ownership companies of any airplane weighing more than 12,500 pound - nearly all of the jets will be over this limit. The meeting at Westchester County Airport was the first of five scheduled nationwide. More than a hundred aircraft owners argued that the proposed rule will have a major impact on general aviation. Also the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) the lobbying group for the private jet industry says the rules are “overly broad,” expensive and cumbersome.

The requirements will hit especially smaller airports, which do not have the funds to match the large airport security protocols. This adds cost and bureaucracy, but the new proposals will not significant enhance security. As the world is facing the most dangerous financial climate since the great depression, is this the time to harm an industry which  already has suffered that much?

 
More information at:  http://www.nbaa.org/news/pr/2009/20090106-001.php