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Under the proposed legislation, any acts of omission on board a Hong Kong registered aircraft, which would constitute an offence in Hong Kong if committed here, or the unlawful seizure of an aircraft in flight or any acts of destruction or violence on board an aircraft which would endanger the safety of that aircraft, will be an offence.
The Bill will establish a statutory Aviation Security Authority and an Aviation Security Programme to provide the regulatory framework required by Annex 17 of the Chicago Convention.
"The Secretary for Security will be designated the Aviation Security Authority and will be responsible for the development, implementation and maintenance of the Aviation Security Programme.
"The Programme will provide guidelines on the aviation security standards required, and the Secretary for Security will be empowered to issue directions as necessary to ensure compliance with these standards." the spokesman said.
An Aviation Security Committee will be established on a statutory basis to advise the Aviation Security Authority on matters relating to aviation security.
Members of the Committee will be appointed from the Government. the Airport Authority and the aviation industry.
The spokesman said that both the draft Aviation Security Bill and the draft Aviation Security Programme had been circulated to the industry, including the Airport Authority, the airlines and the airport tenants, for detailed consultation.
"They have expressed general support for both," he said.
"It is our aim to implement the aviation security requirements in co-operation with the industry. Enforcement action will only be taken if a company or person persistently refuses to comply with a reasonable requirement," the spokesman added.
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