The Transportation Security Administration will soon inspect aircraft repair stations to lower the risk of theft and other terrorism-related activity.
The move will cover about 4,100 domestic repair stations and 700 foreign ones, said the Associated Press, which noted that Congress first mandated the TSA to inspect airport repair stations over concern that they made easy targets for terrorists wishing to steal a plane or plant a bomb onboard one.
While the Federal Aviation Administration is already responsible for keeping tabs on repair stations, its primary responsibility is to ensure the conditions and work quality meet US standards, said AP. With the TSA now preparing to inspect shops for security, the FAA will be able to continue authorizing new stations, a process that had been halted previously, AP said.
Yet, TSA won’t be overseeing all repair shops. The new rules apply only to stations operating at or near airports, said AP.