DOTARS05/070WT - 12 December 2005
ASIC extension for pilots and airport employees
The Australian Government Minister for Transport and Regional Services, Warren Truss, today announced that pilots and employees operating at regional airports will be given more time to comply with the Aviation Security Identification Card (ASIC) display requirements.
“The Government has agreed to extend the deadline to display ASICs for pilots and employees requiring access to secure areas of regional airports by three months to 31 March 2006.”
“Only those people who have submitted an ASIC application form to the appropriate issuing body by 31 December 2005 will be eligible for the extension,” he said.
“While many pilots and airport employees have already complied with the new security requirements and applied for ASICs, there remains some who have not submitted their applications or have not yet received their cards.”
Mr Truss said the extension will not apply across the entire aviation industry. It will only apply to pilots and employees operating at the 141 new entrant regional airports.
“Thirty-eight larger airports have been issuing ASICs since 1998. The 141 new entrant airports in regional areas are now required to issue ASICs for the first time, as well as implementing other security requirements.
“While the Australian Government has been working closely with the 141 new entrant regional airports to ensure a smooth transition to the new ASIC regime, the implementation phase is taking longer than first envisaged.“
“I encourage all pilots and relevant airport personnel to lodge their ASIC applications as soon as possible and well before the due date, otherwise they risk significant fines.
“I remind pilots that they can now make an application for an ASIC through the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). To find out more details about applying for an ASIC, call 1300 737 032 or log on to the CASA website, www.casa.gov.au,” he said.
An ASIC indicates that the holder has been background checked and is eligible to enter a secure area of an airport. The holder of an ASIC does not have an automatic right to access such areas. Access to the secure area of an airport remains at the discretion of an airport operator in accordance with the individual airport’s transport security program.
Kylie Butler – Media Adviser
phone: 02 6277 7680 or 0417 652 488
email: kylie.butler@dotars.gov.au
web: www.ministers.dotars.gov.au