2016 annual report on the implementation of Regulation (EC) No 300/2008 on common rules in the field of civil aviation security

2016 saw a surge in the terrorist threat levels in general and for civil aviation, marked by the terrorist attacks in Brussels and Istanbul airports. Immediately after the Brussels attack, the Commission convened Member States in an extraordinary session of the Aviation Security Regulatory Committee, which reached the conclusion that while there was a need for protecting the public areas of the airports, where the attacks took place, measures designed for the protection of the Security Restricted Areas (SRAs) of airports were not suitable for application at the entry points of terminal buildings. These areas should be kept public and measures should be taken based upon local risk assessments, involving all relevant authorities and stakeholders.

As is always the case for EU aviation security policy, a proper balance between the security needs and the other important factors, such as travel convenience, privacy and protection of personal data and facilitation of operational factors should be maintained. The exchange of experiences and best practices would be a key element in successfully reinforcing security. The Commission expressed its intention to facilitate this exchange and to determine further steps, as appropriate. To this extent, the Commission organized a workshop in November 2017 on securing transport public areas and launched a study on the protection of landside areas at EU airports.

As in previous years, the Commission continued to clarify, harmonize and simplify aviation security legislation in line with the better regulation objectives of the EU. The Commission continued to monitor the implementation of aviation security measures by Member States, both through EU inspections in close cooperation with Member States throughout the year and by assessing Member States' annual quality control reports. Compliance levels remained stable and in 2016 did not require temporary exclusions of any EU airport from the EU's One Stop Security System to rectify serious deficiencies.