GBTA Asks TSA to Delay On Board Knife Policy

business travelerThe Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) has urged the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to delay implementation of its recently announced - and controversial - policy allowing passengers to carry knives on board aircraft. 

In a statement Michael W. McCormick, GBTA executive director and COO, said the GBTA and its members have long supported TSA’s risk-based security initiatives and will continue this approach.  

"However the new knife policy raises significant safety concerns for business travelers who make nearly 40 million business trips each month. In addition, although risk-based security measures should facilitate passenger screening, many are questioning whether the new policy will slow down, rather than speed up, checkpoint screening," McCormick said. 

"Meaningful consultation with travel industry stakeholders before announcing the policy could have addressed the concerns in this significant shift in policy.  GBTA urges Administrator Pistole to delay implementation and work with the business travel industry on this important issue. To be clear, GBTA is fully supportive of TSA’s commitment to intelligence-driven, risk-based security.  TSA should continue this approach and delay implementation of this new policy," GBTA said.  

GBTA’s 5,000-plus members manage over $340 billion of global business travel and meetings expenditures annually.

Visit www.gbta.org