[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 247 (Thursday, December 27, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66725-66726]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-27983]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY


Failure to Maintain and Carry Out Effective Security Measures--
Notice to Passengers Transiting Ninoy Aquino International Airport, 
Pasay City, Republic of the Philippines

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, Department of Homeland Security.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice informs the public that the Department of Homeland 
Security (DHS) has determined that Ninoy Aquino International Airport 
(MNL), Pasay City, Republic of the Philippines, does not maintain and 
carry out effective security measures that meet standards prescribed by 
the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Pursuant to this 
notice, all U.S. aircraft operators and foreign air carriers (and their 
agents) providing transportation between the United States and MNL are 
directed to provide written notice of this determination to any 
passenger purchasing a ticket for transportation between the United 
States and MNL in accordance with statutory requirements.

DATES: Applicable December 26, 2018.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Bilello, Assistant 
Administrator, Strategic Communications and Public Affairs, TSA-4, 
Transportation Security Administration (TSA), 601 South 12th Street, 
Arlington, VA 20598-6004; telephone: (571) 227-2865; email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 44907(a), the Secretary of Homeland Security 
is required to assess periodically the effectiveness of the security 
measures maintained by foreign airports that handle air carriers that 
serve the United States or that may pose a ``high risk of introducing 
danger to international air travel.'' If the Secretary initially 
determines that a foreign airport does not maintain and carry out 
effective security measures, the Secretary is required to ``notify the 
appropriate authorities of the government of the foreign country of the 
decision and recommend the steps necessary to bring the security 
measures in use at the airport up to the standard used by the Secretary 
[of Homeland Security] in making the assessment.'' 49 U.S.C. 44907(c).
    Further, upon finding that an airport does not ``maintain and carry 
out effective security measures, the Secretary must: (a) Publish the 
identity of the foreign airport in the Federal Register, (b) have the 
identity of the airport posted and displayed prominently at all U.S. 
airports at which scheduled air carrier operations are provided 
regularly, and (c) notify the news media of the identity of the 
airport. 49 U.S.C. 44907(d)(l)(A). In addition, the statute requires 
all air carriers providing transportation between the United States and 
the foreign airport in question to provide written notice of the 
determination, either on or with the ticket, to all passengers 
purchasing transportation between the United States and the airport. 49 
U.S.C. 44907(d)(l)(B).

Determination Regarding Security Measures

    On December 26, 2018, the Secretary of Homeland Security notified 
the Government of the Philippines that, pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 44907, 
she had determined that MNL, Pasay City, Republic of the Philippines, 
does not maintain and carry out effective security measures in 
accordance with ICAO standards. This determination is based on TSA 
assessments that have found that security measures used at MNL do not 
meet the standards established by ICAO.
    DHS is issuing this notice pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 44907(d)(1) to 
inform the public of this determination. Notice of this decision shall 
be displayed prominently in all U.S. airports with

[[Page 66726]]

regularly scheduled air carrier operations. Further, DHS will notify 
the news media of this determination. In addition, as a result of this 
determination, 49 U.S.C. 44907(d)(l)(B) requires that each United 
States and foreign air carrier (and their agents) providing 
transportation between the United States and MNL will provide written 
notice of DHS's determination to each passenger buying a ticket for 
transportation between the United States and MNL.

    Dated: December 18, 2018.
Kirstien M. Nielsen,
Secretary of Homeland Security.
[FR Doc. 2018-27983 Filed 12-26-18; 8:45 am]
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