TSA To Test Revamped Secure Flight

The Transportation Security Administration this fall plans to test with select airlines the latest version of its Secure Flight passenger-prescreening program, through which the government, rather than the airlines, would check passenger data against government watchlists in efforts to bolster air travel security.

TSA said it plans the domestic portion of the program to be completed in the first year following approval, with the international component completed in the second year.

TSA today outlined the latest incarnation of the program in a proposed rulemaking, saying it has revamped Secure Flight to address privacy, operational and cost concerns, among others. The program's previous attempts to launch came undone after failing to meet standards set by Congress.

TSA today said it plans to merge international prescreening components of the Custom and Border Protection's Advance Passenger Information System with the Secure Flight program. The Department of Homeland Security today separately published a final ruling on the APIS program to enable the U.S. government to collect flight manifests for international flights departing or entering the country. TSA said it would seek comments on the Secure Flight program for 60 days following today's filing.

The proposed program would give TSA access to more passenger data with which to compare against the government's No Fly watchlist, which it said would create "more accurate, timely, and comprehensive screening, and a reduction in false positives." However, by TSA's estimates, the program could add time to the reservations process and create additional costs for travel agencies and airlines.