Corporate AviationSecurity:
a threat closer than you think
Ramzi Youssef plot to bomb commercial passenger or flight crewmember on a before 9/11, corporations took many
airliners with liquid based explosives back corporate aircraft if it can be proven that preventative measures to ensure the
in 1995, was a sister plot to fly a small the corporate operator did not take safety and security of their aircraft and
aircraft into CIA headquarters filled with reasonable security precautions. passengers. It is not uncommon for a
explosives. An aerial attack of that nature Probably the most sinister threat to business aircraft to fly into a small airport
circumvents most of the perimeter corporate aviation comes right from the that is more convenient for their
defences that have been implemented, but cockpit. Although, many of these incidents passengers but lacks the hangar space to
it also complicates the plot as there is the are kept out of the press, there have been store the aircraft, then to shuttle the
added need to ensure that the explosives situations where pilots for corporate aircraft to another larger airport to hangar
do actually detonate when the plane hits operators have, either sober or drunk, the aircraft until it is needed again, hours
its target, and it requires the pilot to stolen the aircraft they are employed to fly, or days later.
successfully navigate the aircraft to a threatened to commit suicide by crashing Another factor with corporate aircraft
vulnerable location. the plane, or made threats against the security is that corporations often have
The TSA originally set the bar much lower company or others to crash the aircraft. business dealings throughout the world.
at 12,500 lbs gross takeoff weight, but Recall that it was a disgruntled worker that Corporate aviation security considerations
that figure was set as a function of the took down a commercial airline flight PSA must include differences in culture,
Federal Aviation Administration’s definition 1771 in the U.S. in 1987 when he took a
of a large aircraft, not from any scientific gun on board and killed the pilots. “
...VIP’s and CEO’s
study evaluating the impact of an aircraft With corporate furloughs, bailouts, and a
being used as a WMD. Look for that general negativity towards corporations travel on corporate
number to change in the future. throughout the world right now, companies
Thefts of private aircraft, attempted and are at risk from laid-off, fired, or flights and their
actual hijackings, and drug smuggling via disgruntled employees.
private aircraft are all well-known threats to companies are often
corporate aviation, but some threats are The Solutions
more related to the passengers, than the Overall, the business aviation community willing and able to pay
capabilities of the plane. VIP’s and CEO’s may not have the security measures of
travel on corporate flights and their commercial aviation operations, such as millions in ransom
companies are often willing and able to pay passenger and baggage screening, but it is
millions in ransom money to get them back a mistake to think that no security money to get them
if they are taken hostage. measures are present. A corporate aircraft
A less visible threat is in the form of legal is a multimillion-dollar investment for a back if they are taken
liability. Corporate operators are exposed business, and business owners want to
to litigation should something happen to a ensure that investment is protected. Long hostage...”
Aviationsecurityinternational August 2009
www.asi-mag.com 37
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