VZCZCXRO1737
PP RUEHGR
DE RUEHBH #0661 3002040
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 272040Z OCT 09
FM AMEMBASSY NASSAU
TO RUCNCOM/EC CARICOM COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RHMCSUU/FAA MIAMI ARTCC MIAMI FL PRIORITY
RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6785

UNCLAS NASSAU 000661 
 
SIPDIS 
 
PASS TO WHA/CAR JOSLYN MACK-WILSON 
PASS TO EEB/TRA/OTP 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: BF ECON ETRD KHLS
SUBJECT: NASSAU AIRPORT PASSES TSA INSPECTIONS 
 
REF: NASSAU 258 
 
¶1. (U)  SUMMARY: Nassau Airport finally passed Transportation 
Security Administration (TSA  checkpoint testing following 
two years of failed security evaluations.  Passing the tests 
eliminated the need for a second security screening 
checkpoint for U.S.-bound passengers; greatly reducing wait 
times - a long-standing GCOB objective to improve tourist 
travel.  END SUMMARY 
 
--------------------------------------------- --------- 
Good News ) Shorter Wait Times, More Commercial Space 
--------------------------------------------- --------- 
 
¶2.  (SBU)  Nassau International Airport has finally passed 
its Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoint 
testing following two years of multiple failed security 
evaluations.  TSA representatives determined on October 16 
that passenger screening at the airport is now comparable to 
TSA standards.  Once the Department of Homeland Security 
certifies the evaluation, the airport will no longer require 
two separate security screening checkpoints in the U.S. 
departures terminal.    The redundant checkpoints 
significantly disrupted passenger flow; forcing U.S.-bound 
passengers to arrive at the airport three hours in advance of 
their flights in order to guarantee sufficient time to pass 
through a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) 
pre-clearance facility queue, a Bahamian security checkpoint 
and the TSA-standard checkpoint.  The second screening area 
also limited the amount of commercial space in the terminal. 
 
--------------------------------------------- 
Need to Watch ) Sustaining Security Standards 
--------------------------------------------- 
 
¶3.  (SBU)  TSA told the Nassau Airport Development (NAD), 
Airport Authority (AA) and Ministry of Tourism and Aviation 
(MoTA) officials that the key changes for passing inspection 
included  (Ref A) random property screenings, trace-machine 
searches, elimination of opposite-gender pat-downs and the 
proper use of handheld metal detectors.  Airport Authority 
management established a long-term training program for 
screening staff and set up computerized training records. 
The GCOB also hired an independent Canadian airport security 
consultant to work with the AA and NAD to oversee the 
corrective process  When EconOff expressed concerns about 
long-term sustainability, TSA reported that the GCOB decided 
to keep the consultant on staff for an additional year.  TSA 
further indicated that they will establish a regional TSA 
Representative (TSAR) to oversee all pre-clearance operations 
in the region. 
 
¶4.  (SBU)  COMMENT:  This has been a major Post success. It 
is the result of Post's intensive engagement with Bahamian 
officials through its monthly Airport Security Working Group 
(ASWG).  (U.S. officials worked closely with airport 
representatives to ensure accountability for action items and 
to facilitate communication among the various interested 
parties.)  The presence of a TSAR in Nassau should assist the 
Nassau Airport to maintain U.S. screening standards.   END 
COMMENT 
AVANT