Avsec 3.63
Airport Identity Card
Employer information
Introduction
This document provides employers and their staff with background information on the Airport Identity Card (AIC)
system. The intent is to outline the AIC system for new employers and to educate and remind both new and existing
employers of their responsibilities and obligations relating to AICs and the relevant Civil Aviation Rule requirements.
This document also covers the rights of other organisations involved in the day-to-day business of civil aviation. The
information contained here will provide employers with sufficient information to complete an AVSEC 3.6 Airport
Identity Card New Employer Application Form.
Policy and procedures
Before the Aviation Security Service (Avsec) can consider an application from a new employer for an AIC and
authorisation to enter security and security enhanced areas of an aerodrome, the employer must first supply the
following details and information. This is required in sufficient time to allow Avsec to carry out administration
procedures before an AIC is issued
Information required on the AVSEC 3.6 form
Vehicle escorts
Any requirements to take vehicles into security areas, security enhanced areas or operational areas of the aerodrome
must be co-ordinated through your local Aerodrome Certificate Holder (airport company). Some aerodrome certificate
holders stipulate that any person driving a vehicle airside must receive training on the requirements for ‘Driving Airside’.
As a general rule, all contractor vehicles will require an escort when operating within any airside areas
Notifying interested parties
Other users on the aerodrome may need to know of your presence because of aircraft movements or other activities
planned in areas where you or your employees need to work. Your planned activity may cause a safety issue or
interfere with other operations being conducted airside.
Examples of interested parties:
 Air Traffic Control (Airways New Zealand)
 Aerodrome Certificate Holder (e.g. AIAL, WIAL, CIAL)
 New Zealand Customs Service
 New Zealand Police

airline operators.
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Responsibilities
Your organisation is required to establish a system to recover AICs from employees leaving your employment. Your
organisation must also ensure that recovered AICs are returned to Avsec for disposal. Immediate notification to Avsec
is essential where any employee leaves your organisation and his or her AIC has not been recovered.
Where an organisation makes an application to Avsec for AICs the following procedures are to be applied:
1)
The employer or employer’s authorised representative is to complete the AVSEC 3.6 Airport Identity Card New
Employer Application Form. All details are to be supplied. The employer’s authorised representatives must also
complete the AVSEC 3.61 Airport Identity Card New Employer Specimen Signature Form, supplying each
authorised representative’s full name, designation and their specimen signature.
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2)
The completed forms are to be lodged with Avsec for approval. The AVSEC 3.61 Airport Identity Card New
Employer Specimen Signature Form will be used as a reference when confirming that the authorised signatures
are correct in subsequent applications for AICs.
3)
If your organisation changes its name or address, the Aviation Security Service must be advised within 28 days.
The AVSEC 3.62 Airport Identity Card Employer Notification of Change Form can be used for this purpose.
4)
The employer is required to supply Avsec, with new or updated specimen signatures of the organisations
authorised representatives. The AVSEC 3.62 Airport Identity Card Employer Notification of Change Form is to
be used for this purpose.
Applications for the issue of permanent AICs are to be made by completing the AVSEC 3.7 Airport Identity Card
Application Form. Application forms must be approved by one of your organisation’s representatives who has been
approved as authorised signatory. If you require further information relating to the AIC process, please contact your
nearest Avsec office.
From time to time Avsec will conduct audits of AICs held by organisations.
AIC holders have a responsibility to report to their employer or appropriate authorities any incidents or security
breaches they observe while working within the restricted environments of the aerodrome.
Civil Aviation Act 1990
Pursuant to section 77B(1)(a) of the Civil Aviation Act 1990, Avsec is permitted to screen and undertake searches of:
“(iv)
(v)
any person, item, substance, or vehicle—
(A)
before the person, item, substance, or vehicle enters a security enhanced area:
(B)
present in a security enhanced area:
any unattended item, substance or vehicle in a security enhanced area”
Civil Aviation Rule Part 19
Rule 19.355 Prohibitions
Civil Aviation Rule 19.355 states that:
“No person shall, without lawful authority,—
(1)
leave open or insecure or otherwise uncontrolled any door, gate, or other barrier provided at any
aerodrome to control access to any security area, security enhanced area, or operational area; or
(2)
deposit, park, or leave adjacent to or on any fence, barrier, or other thing being used to prevent
unauthorised access to any security area, security enhanced area, or operational area any article that
is capable of facilitating the evasion of control measures.”
These requirements place the responsibility onto each person entering or leaving the security areas, security
enhanced areas or operational areas to ensure that they do not:
leave doors or gates open or insecure that lead into a security area, security enhanced area or operational area
leave vehicles or other obstacles parked against or adjacent to perimeter fences
facilitate unauthorised access into the security areas, security enhanced areas or operational areas of the
aerodrome.
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Rule 19.357 Airport identity cards
Civil Aviation Rule 19.357 states that:
“(a)
The Director may issue or approve an airport identity card or other identity document in accordance
with this Rule if –
(1)
the Director has, in accordance with the Act, made a favourable security check determination of
the person who has applied for the card or document; or
(2)
the Director has decided that the person has undergone an alternative security check that is
acceptable to the Director.
(b)
Subject to paragraphs (c) and (g), no person shall enter or remain in any security area or security
enhanced area of any security designated aerodrome or designated installation, unless that person (1)
wears an airport identity card on the front of his or her outer garment; or
(2)
has in his or her possession another identity document or other identity documents for the time
being authorised under paragraph (a).
(c)
Where the Director considers it desirable that the name of the holder of an airport identity card be not
disclosed, the Director may approve the wearing of an identity card from which the holder’s name has
been deleted.
(d)
A person who is authorised by this rule to enter a security area or security enhanced area shall remain in
that area only for the purposes of his or her duties.
(e)
If required to do so by an authorised person, any person entering or in a security area or security
enhanced area shall produce for inspection his or her identity card or other identity documents for the
time being authorised under paragraph (a).
(f)
If the holder of an airport identity card cease to be employed in a position for which the card is required,
or for any other reason ceases to be entitled to hold the card, the holder shall forthwith return the card
to the issuing authority.
(g)
Nothing in paragraph (b) shall apply to(1)
any member of the crew of an aircraft engaged in an international service who wears on his or
her outer garment an official identity card issued by his or her employer or the government of
the state in which he or she permanently resides; or
(2)
any official of a New Zealand government agency who is required, by reason of his or her official
duties, to remain incognito; or
(3)
any passenger who enters or leaves a security area or security enhanced area for the purpose of
joining or leaving a flight, if he or she is in possession of a valid boarding pass for that flight or is
being escorted by a crew member or a representative of the operator; or
(4)
any pilot-in-command of an aircraft on private operations who enters or is within a security area
or security enhanced area for the purpose of embarking, disembarking, or servicing the aircraft, if
the pilot has in his or her possession a valid pilot licence, or any other person being escorted by
the pilot.
(h)
The security checks referred to in 19.357(a)(1) and (2) are not required if the person making an
application for an identity card is issued with a temporary identity card approved by the Director that
entitles the person to enter or remain in a security area or security enhanced area when escorted by a
person issued with an airport identity card in accordance with the security check process referred to in
19.357(a)(1) and (2).”
Offences in Respect of airport identity cards
General
The Civil Aviation (Offences) Regulations 2006 recognise certain offences in respect of AIC infringements. Where noncompliance with the requirements of Civil Aviation Rule 19.357 is reported to the CAA, the Director may take action as
he or she sees appropriate in the circumstances. Options available to the Director include issuing of a warning to the
offender, issuing the offender with an infringement notice which specifies prescribed infringement fees, or summary
prosecution.
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Avsec role
Avsec’s role when dealing with such breaches is to gather and record evidence of an AIC breach. In most cases Avsec
will submit an incident report to the Director of Civil Aviation for consideration. Further, aviation security officers may
need to act immediately to remove a person from a security area or security enhanced area in those circumstances
where such action is warranted.
Section 84(3) of the Civil Aviation Act 1990 authorises an aviation security officer to request any person within a
security area or security enhanced area to provide details of that person’s name, address, the reason for their
presence in a security area or security enhanced area and their identity. Section 84(4) of the Civil Aviation Act 1990
refers - any person who fails to comply with these provisions may be ordered by an aviation security officer to leave
the security area or security enhanced area immediately. Evidence may include records/notes, observations,
photographs or CCTV footage and exhibits such as an AIC that has been used in contravention of the Civil Aviation
Rule requirements.
Rule 19.357(b) – Fine of $5,000 or an infringement fee of $2,000
Subject to Civil Aviation Rule 19.357(c) and (g) no person shall enter or remain in any security area or security
enhanced area of any designated aerodrome or designated installation unless that person wears an AIC on the front of his or her outer garment; or
 has in his or her possession another identity document or other identity documents for the time being authorised
under 19.357(a).
Non-compliance with this rule requirement includes:
 failure to wear or display an AIC when entering or within a security area or security enhanced area;
 not being in possession of an AIC or other identity document while within a security area or security enhanced area;
and
 while entering or within a security area or security enhanced area, wearing an expired AIC, or having been issued
with a temporary AIC where an escort is required and no escort is present.
Rule 19.357(d) – Fine of $5,000 or an infringement fee of $2,000
A person who is authorised by this rule to enter a security area or security enhanced area shall remain in that area
only for the purposes of his or her duties.
Non-compliance with this rule requirement includes:
 entering or remaining in a security area or security enhanced area other than for the purpose of conducting lawful
duties.
Rule 19.357(e) – Fine of $1,000 or an infringement fee of $500
If required to do so by an authorised person, any person entering or in a security area or security enhanced area shall
produce for inspection his or her airport identity card or other identity documents for the time being authorised under
paragraph (a) of this rule.
Non-compliance with this rule requirement includes:
 failure or refusal to produce an AIC or other identity document for inspection while entering or within a security
area or security enhanced area when requested to do so by an authorised person.
Rule 19.357(f) - Fine of $1,000 or an infringement fee of $500
If the holder of an airport identity card ceases to be employed in a position for which the airport identity card is
required, or for any other reason ceases to be entitled to hold the airport identity card, the holder shall forthwith
return the card to the issuing authority.
Non-compliance with this rule requirement includes:
 failure on the part of the holder of an AIC to return it to Avsec where the holder ceases to be entitled to hold the
card for any reason.
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Other AIC Irregularities:
Avsec officers will also report instances such as:

Where an AIC has been defaced (i.e. where any detail on the card has been obliterated or in any way modified);
and

Use of another person’s AIC justifies the removal of that person from a security area or security enhanced area,
recording of the person’s details and the matter being reported to an Avsec supervisor.
Note:
Civil Aviation Rule 19.357(g) (1) to (4) details alternative identity documents and circumstances where their
use is acceptable to the Director for compliance with this Rule. This is a summary of these documents, for
more specific detail refer to CAR 19.357.