TNAG-2534-FCO40-3704-Hong-Kong-aviation-security-1992 — Page 21

TRANSPORT SECURITY DIVISION

1 Hink Roper Mors told us ital Cathan war British for the purposes

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21/7

THE DEPARTMENT

OF TRANSPORT

N Cox Esq

M

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Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Jack's secretay

Hong Kong Department Room WH302

LONDON

ROOM S8/08

2 MARSHAM STREET LONDON SW1P 3EB TELEX 22221 DIRECT LINE 071-276 5151 SWITCHBOARD 071-276 3000

G276

AVI/10/1/07

20 July 1992

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Your Ref:

24/2

HKC 180/3

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AVIATION SECURITY: HONG KONG BASED AIRLINES

1982

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Cox

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During a recent visit to Hong Kong I sought to establish if Hong Kong based airlines should be considered British or overseas airlines in respect of aviation security matters.

2.

I was conscious that the UK accounts

the UK accounts for Hong Kong and other Dependent Territories in terms of the Chicago Convention, and we have asked Hong Kong to produce a national aviation security programme which will provide us with the assurances we need that they are fulfilling international requirements in the territory. Their programme will account for security in respect

in respect to all airline operations in their territory, and we will direct Cathay Pacific Airways to fulfil our requirements in the United Kingdom, in the same way as we deal with other airlines. It is when Hong Kong based airlines will operate outside Hong Kong and the United Kingdom that their status will become significant. We ask foreign states to account for the security of British airline operations within their territory and seek a minimum range of measures which we consider necessary. The Department of Transport's Inspectors visit foreign states to assess the standards of security in respect of British airline operations, and Post Aviation Security Officers at British posts also make assessments and provide us with information. If Hong Kong based airlines were to be deemed British, we would seek agreement with Hong Kong about the security measures they should be afforded in foreign states and ask states to administer the measures: and would assess their implementation as we do with other British airline operations.

3. In response to my interest I have received a letter from the Civil Aviation Department, Hong Kong (copy attached) which (if you set aside details about where Cathay Pacific airline is referred to in our Security Handbook, concludes that Cathay Pacific, and by extension Dragonair and Air Hong Kong, are British airlines. The implications are that we should seek agreement of the Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department about the measures we will set out to achieve for Hong Kong airlines in foreign states.

4.

I am conscious that matters relating to Hong Kong can be sensitive, and before I go further I would wish to know that you are content with this interpretation.