The Ministry of Interior of the Czech Republic

Security and prevention

Civil Aviation Security

The issue of civil aviation security has, in particular after 11 September 2001, become a priority for the state security agencies. Protection of the civil air transport encompasses a set of measures, both in the area of ground and air security. The Security Policy Department takes part, within the Ministry of Interior, in the preparation of new norms and policy documents, security risks assessments as well as in raising the general awareness of other bodies involved in the protection of civilian aviation against unlawful acts. All this is done in collaboration with the Asylum and Migration Policy Department, Legislation Department and Alien and Border Police Service.

The Security Policy Department participates mainly in the preparation of new norms and amendments to existing norms for the area of civil aviation security (e.g. amendment of the law on civil aviation and its implementing regulations; drafting and updating of the National security programme for protection of civil aviation against unlawful acts). The Security Policy Department also represents the Ministry of Interior in the Interdepartmental Commission for Security of Civil Aviation that discusses legislative questions, recommendations and initiatives providing for the security of civil aviation. The Department has its seat also in the Joint Intelligence Group that assesses security risks. Not in the last place, the Department works actively towards improving the information flows among all parties involved in the protection of civil aviation against unlawful acts - it prepares monthly situation reports and distributes regular updates on security risks.

In 2004 the Security Policy Department initiated in collaboration with the Alien and Border Police Service the establishment of a new police unit with the aim of enhancing the civil aviation security - Unit of In-flight Security of the Czech Police (so called “sky marshal” service). Members of this Unit are responsible for the protection of selected potentially risk flights as well as for discharging of other duties in order to boost the security of civil aviation.

In November 2005 the Security Policy Department with the participation of a wide range of other parties concerned (Police of the Czech Republic, Prague Airport, Czech Airlines, Intelligence Services, Ministry of Defence, Czech Army and members of the Central Crisis Staff) organized the Exercise CRISIS 2005 aimed at testing the procedures for cases of hijack of a commercial aircraft. At the turn of 2005 and 2006 the Security Policy Department prepared two comprehensive documents for the National Security Council. The first focuses on the security evaluation of small airfields, the latter analyses the security at major international airports in the Czech Republic. The conclusions and recommendations of these analytical documents are gradually being put into practice