Contact:
Michael Newberger
202-702-2724
[email protected]
WASHINGTON – The American Federation of Government Employees is calling for the implementation of increased security to close security gaps on America’s “public charter flights.” These flights have more than nine seats, fly on fixed routes, and passengers purchase individual tickets. Despite their similarities to major carrier flights, these flights have different security standards than commercial flights.
“Transportation Security Officers work tirelessly to ensure the safety of America’s flying public but the lax security on public charter flights represents a major security vulnerability,” said AFGE President Everett Kelley. “The fact that these public charter flights are able to operate without any kind of centralized security is a needless threat to the safety of our country.”
“The working people of the American Federation of Government Employees, including the over 45,000 Transportation Security Officers we represent, join members of Congress and our union family calling for TSA security protocols on these flights. The safety of our skies depends on it.”
###