Roles and Responsibilities of Aerodrome Operators and Competent Authorities
Who does what
The competent authority sets policy, approves programmes, certifies instructors, conducts oversight, and coordinates national response. The aerodrome operator implements the ASP: designates restricted areas, controls access, provides screening where assigned, maintains perimeter and lighting, runs the security committee, trains staff, and keeps records. Police provide armed response and law enforcement; immigration and customs handle border functions; air traffic services protect the manoeuvring area.
Concepts to master
- The operator's duty to designate security restricted areas and critical parts.
- Shared responsibility at the airside boundary: operator, ground handlers, tenants, concessionaires.
- Accountability vs. responsibility: the operator is accountable for the ASP even when a contractor performs a task.
- Records and retention: training, access logs, incident reports.
- Notification duties: reporting incidents to the competent authority.
Traps
- Assuming the operator can arrest or prosecute - it cannot; that is law enforcement.
- Thinking contractors dilute accountability; contracts must flow down security obligations.
- Confusing operator with airport police in response questions.
- Forgetting that the operator must report unlawful interference promptly to the State.
Rule of thumb
Ask: is this a policy, an implementation, or an enforcement function? Policy → authority; implementation → operator; enforcement → police. Worked example: a baggage handler employed by a contractor fails screening. The contractor is responsible for the act; the operator remains accountable for oversight, training records and corrective action.