Legal Requirements and Liabilities Arising from Airport Security
Airports want to create a travel environment that is efficient and responsive to passengers' needs without compromising security. Airport operators share responsibility for the ever-evolving security requirements with federal and local agencies. Security practices should be designed with individuals’ rights in mind, but finding a balance between safety and security and individuals’ rights can be a challenge. These challenges encompass all passengers, visitors, and airport workers subject to security protocols. Airports are confronted with a multifaceted framework of requirements related to security, such as constitutional and civil rights and privacy, and new requirements and technology add complexity. Research is needed to support airports to understand their legal responsibilities, the potential risks, and the implications for airport operations, passengers, and stakeholders. The objective of the research is to examine the public facing airport security measures and help airports understand the legal requirements and liabilities arising from airport security. The final report should: (1) provide stakeholders with the current legal and regulatory airport security requirements; (2) identify the parties responsible (e.g., airport operator, federal agency, etc.); and (3) identify additional practices undertaken by airports that are not required by current legal and regulatory airport security requirements. The report should identify and analyze the risks or exposures that may arise in the context of these requirements and practices. The report should identify and analyze novel legal issues involved with anticipated or proposed airport security measures. The research should supplement ACRP Legal Research Digest 27: The Fourth Amendment and Airports to include relevant cases decided after that publication.
Language
- English
Project
- Funding: $75,000.00
-
Contract Numbers:
11-01/Topic 16-03
-
Sponsor Organizations:
Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP)
Transportation Research Board, 500 Fifth Street, NW
Washington, DC United States 20001Federal Aviation Administration
800 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC United States 20591 -
Project Managers:
Christensen, Jordan
- Start Date: 20250807
- Expected Completion Date: 0
- Actual Completion Date: 0
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Airport operations; Constitutional law; Passenger screening; Privacy; Security
- Subject Areas: Aviation; Law; Security and Emergencies;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 01955443
- Record Type: Research project
- Source Agency: Transportation Research Board
- Contract Numbers: 11-01/Topic 16-03
- Files: TRB, RIP
- Created Date: May 20 2025 2:39PM