The National Aviation Security Committee is an advisory body to the Minister and the civil aviation industry in regard to any security related matters.
This body is empowered by the Civil Aviation Act (Act No. 13 of 2009) which provides that the Minister shall institute a Civil Aviation Security Committee.
Background
Section 104(1) of the Civil Aviation Act (Act No. 13 of 2009) states: "The Minister must institute a National Aviation Security Committee composed of:
- The Director-General of the Department who shall also be the chairperson of the Committee, and in whose absence a member of the National Aviation Security Committee, appointed by the National Aviation Security Committee, is to act as chairperson;
- An official responsible for national air transport facilitation designated by the Minister;
- An official designated by the Director-General;
- The Director or an official designated by the Director;
- An employee of the Airports Company Limited, as defined in section 1 of the Airports Company Act, 1993 (Act No. 44 of 1993), designated by the Airports Company Limited Company;
- An officer designated by the Chief of the South African National Defence Force;
- A person designated by the Director after consultation with the Minister;
- An official designated by the Director-General: National Intelligence Agency;
- An official responsible for disaster management designated by the Director-General: Provincial and Local Government;
- An official designated by the Director-General: South African Secret Service;
- A member designated by the National Commissioner of the South African Police Service;
- An employee of the Air Traffic and Navigation Services Company Limited, as defined in section 1 of the Air Traffic and Navigation Services Company Act, 1993 (Act No. 45 of 1993), designated by the Air Traffic and Navigation Services Company Limited;
- An official designated by the Co-ordinator of the National Intelligence
The National Aviation Security Committee may invite any person or persons to a meeting or meetings of the National Aviation Security Committee who is an authority with regard to any specific matter.
Objectives of the Committee
Section 105 of the Civil Aviation Act (Act No. 13 of 2009) states: "The objects of the National Aviation Security Committee are to:
- Advise the Minister with regard to aviation security policy;
- Review and make recommendations of the effectiveness of security measures and procedures; and
- Provide for co-ordination to ensure the proper and diligent implementation of the national aviation security programme."
Primary Functions of the Committee
The Committee shall advise the Minister with regard to:
- Any matter relating to aviation safety, including any such matter referred to it by the Minister, and the efficient application for the provisions of the Act;
- The designation of an airport as contemplated in the definition of "designated airport" in section 1 of the Act.