The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has told US airports to expect little more in fiscal support in 2004 to cover security improvements.
Deputy TSA administrator Stephen McHale said although the agency was sympathetic to their plight, in which airports must pay for federally mandated security equipment and procedures, more money was just not forthcoming. Instead, the airports must share the costs.
"We feel very strongly that it is a shared responsibility," McHale told an American Association of Airport Executives meeting. The TSA may be forced to limit spending to make up for the cost of bringing explosive detection systems in line with baggage handling systems.
The TSA had planned to tell 10 airports it will fund up to 90% of these costs, and was granted $515 million between 2003 and 2007 for this purpose, but has committed nearly half that for just six major airports, TSA chief technology officer Randy Null said. He told airports that "it will be very, very difficult to go beyond" the 10 airports unless more funds are attained. But two key congressional aides - Adam Tsao from the House and Chris Bertram from the Senate aviation subcommittees - said this was unlikely given the short time Congress will be in session during this coming election year.
Source: Airline Business
