ARINC to Roll Out a Permanent Cockpit Access Security System for AirlinesFebruary 23, 2006Annapolis, Maryland—The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has granted approval for the Cockpit Access Security System (CASS) to be implemented as a permanent program. ARINC Incorporated and 29 participating aircraft operators are deploying a permanent, industry-wide identification system to enable positive electronic identification of pilots and other authorized airline personnel. CASS allows airline gate attendants to quickly determine whether an aircraft operator employee from a participating airline is authorized to access an aircraft’s cockpit jumpseat. In addition to making cockpit access more secure, the CASS system has the future capability to make rapid positive identification of airline employees at any time, and to manage access to aircraft and airport facilities. ARINC and several aircraft operators sought and received permission to initiate a pilot program for a cockpit access verification system in August 2003. After two years of development and testing by ARINC, the TSA, the FAA, and participating aircraft operators, the TSA granted final approval of the CASS system in September 2005. CASS is now available for use by all United States aircraft operators that operate under a TSA approved Aviation Security Program. CASS is a simple web based application that involves the input of personal information provided by the jumpseat requestor and the return of additional information that the ticket agent will verify with the jumpseat requestor. The CASS system makes use of many separate airline employee databases maintained by the participating aircraft operators. These private databases are queried securely by ARINC’s global network, and ARINC is responsible for maintaining the system’s availability and security 24x7. CASS participants currently include: ABX Airways, Air Wisconsin, Alaska Airlines, Aloha Airlines, American Airlines, America West Airlines, American Eagle Airlines, ASTAR Air Cargo, ATA Airlines, Atlas Air Cargo, Continental, Delta, Executive Airlines, ExpressJet, Federal Express, Hawaiian Airlines, Horizon Airlines, JetBlue, Mesaba Airlines, Midwest Airlines, Northwest, Pinnacle, Polar Air Cargo, Skyway Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, United Airlines, UPS Airlines, and U.S. Airways. ARINC Incorporated is the world leader in transportation communications and systems engineering. The company develops and operates communications and information processing systems and provides systems engineering and integration solutions to five key industries: airports, aviation, defense, government, and surface transportation. Founded to provide reliable and efficient radio communications for the airlines, ARINC is headquartered in Annapolis, Maryland, and operates key regional offices in London and Singapore, with over 3,000 employees worldwide. ARINC is ISO 9001:2000 certified. Release: 06-08 Corporate Communications |
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