08.13.18

Cantwell Calls for Hearing into Theft of Aircraft at Sea-Tac

Seattle, WA – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), the top Democrat on the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security, called for a hearing into the recent theft of a Horizon Air aircraft from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. In her letter to Senate Commerce Committee leadership, Cantwell said that Congress must be informed of the use and effectiveness of current security protocols.

“The recent theft of a Horizon Air aircraft from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport exposed an issue with our nation’s airport security protocols. In light of this incident, I request that the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation hold a hearing to examine aviation security protocols in order to prevent similar events from occurring again,” Cantwell said in her letter to U.S. Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune (R-SD) and Ranking Member Bill Nelson (D-FL).

Cantwell’s request for a hearing comes after a Horizon Air aircraft was taken by a Horizon ground service agent last Friday. An investigation led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation is underway in conjunction with the National Transportation Safety Board, the Federal Aviation Administration, and numerous federal and local agencies.

The full letter is below:

Dear Chairman Thune and Ranking Member Nelson:

The recent theft of a Horizon Air aircraft from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport exposed an issue with our nation’s airport security protocols. In light of this incident, I request that the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation hold a hearing to examine aviation security protocols in order to prevent similar events from occurring again.

The FBI is leading an investigation into the incident in conjunction with the National Transportation Safety Board and several other federal and local agencies, and I look forward to reviewing their results.

A hearing would provide the Committee with an important opportunity to hear from the agencies and stakeholders directly involved in airport security. The Transportation Security Administration, the Department of Homeland Security, airlines, and airport operators all have important roles in maintaining security and responding to incidents, and they all could offer valuable insight to the members of the Committee.

The fact that this incident occurred at Sea-Tac, which is one of the few large airports in the country to require full screening for all employees who work in the sterile area, shows that we need to continually adapt security measures to meet new threats.

I am particularly interested in hearing how technology could play a role in making sure aircraft that are not in service cannot be used inappropriately by airport workers who may have access to them to carry out their duties. 

Given the significant national security risks posed by the unauthorized flight of passenger aircraft, Congress needs to remain informed on the use and effectiveness of current security protocols.

Thank you for your consideration of this request. 

Sincerely,

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