The primary objective of aviation security is to ensure the protection and safeguarding of passengers, crew, ground personnel, the general public, aircraft and facilities of an airport serving international civil aviation and domestic operations against acts of unlawful interference perpetrated on the ground or in flight. This is carried out through a combination of measures and the marshalling of various human and material resources at the international, national and airport levels.

The Division conducts oversight activities on the facilitation of the movement of aircraft, crew, persons, cargo, baggage, mail and stores to ensure the removal of unnecessary obstacles and delays while maintaining appropriate security requirements.

The Aviation Security and Facilitation Regulatory has a legal structure in terms of the Civil Aviation (Security and Facilitation) Regulations, 2022 as published under Statutory Instrument (SI) 69 of 2022, with clearly defined responsibilities and methods of implementation.

The Division develops, implements and maintains a comprehensive policy on aviation security and facilitation. The Division implements a standardized level of aviation security and facilitation through measures that meet International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Annex 17 – Aviation Security and Annex 9 – Facilitation standards.

The Division’s functions include:

• Approval of Operator Security Programmes
• Approval of Aviation Security Training Organizations
• Approval of security equipment
• Approval of architectural designs of facilities
• Development of guidance material for the aviation industry
• Certification of Aviation Security Instructors, Screeners, Security Personnel and Aviation Security Internal Quality Control Officers
• Certification of Explosive Detection Dogs and Handlers
• Quality Control activities on operators
• Issuance of Crew Member Certificates
• Issuance of Screeners’ Licences
• Issuance of Inspectors and Instructors Credentials

Aviation Security and Facilitation Division has a Loss Control Section which is mandated to prevent, detect and investigate crimes and losses against the Authority’s assets and its operations. The Loss Control recommends and facilitates implementation of appropriate preventive measures and procedures to mitigate the organization’s exposure to vulnerabilities and risks. Loss Control surveys are conducted periodically and announced across the organization to identify and minimize possible losses. All reported or detected crimes, misconduct and losses are investigated by the Loss Control Section and corrective action are recommended to prevent recurrence of security breaches.

All Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ) personnel and external stakeholders, have a responsibility to report any crime or misconduct to the Loss Control Section or the Director Aviation Security. Crimes or acts of misconduct may be reported through personal visits, by telephone call or by e-mail. The Deloitte Tip-off Anonymous reporting system can also be used to report suspected security breaches.

Known Consignor Requirements

Known Consignor” is a consignor who originates cargo and mail for its own account and whose procedures meet common security rules and standards sufficient to allow the carriage of cargo or mail on any aircraft. For a freight forwarder to meet the Known Consignor criteria and certification requirements, the following must be met

1. For a freight forwarding agent to originate air cargo and mail for export or to handle such imports through a regulated agent he or she must:
   
   1. Develop a Known Consignor Security Programme that meets the requirements of the Civil Aviation (Security and Facilitation) Regulations and the National Civil Aviation Security Programme; and
   2. Submit a written application for approval by the Authority accompanied by––
      
      1. the proposed known consignor security programme;
      2. the current scale map of the freight forwarding premises; and
      3. the appropriate fees set out in the First Schedule of the Civil Aviation (Security and Facilitation) Regulations.
2. Once the security programme is approved, the known consignor must ensure that such programme implemented is maintained in line with the National Civil Aviation Security Programme.
3. Such approved Known Consignor Security Programme must be reviewed on an annual basis in terms of the regulations and submitted to the Authority for approval.

Download Known Consignors list.

The Freight Forwarding Agent must:

1. Operate a business registered in Zimbabwe according to the applicable national laws.
2. Be insured to cover liability in case of accident or incident, in particular in respect of air cargo, mail and third-party insurance.
3. Submit a written application which contains information about the goals and reasons of application, enhanced with information about the owners of the company and their nationalities.
4. Accurately fill out the Known Consignor application form A.S. 39 ensuring that all the required information has been inserted and/or attached. The application and required documents which include CR.6, CR 14 and Tax Clearance Certificate must be submitted to the Authority in both hard and electronic copies.

Regulated Agent Requirements

“Regulated Agent” is an agent, freight forwarder or any other entity who conducts business with an aircraft operator and provides security controls that are accepted or authorised by the Authority in respect of cargo, courier and express parcels or mail. For an agent, freight forwarder or any other entity to meet the Regulated Agent criteria and certification requirements, the following must be met:

1. For a regulated agent to operate as a regulated agent he or she must:
   
   1. Develop a Regulated Agent Security Programme that meets the requirements of the Civil Aviation (Security and Facilitation) Regulations and the National Civil Aviation Security Programme; and
   2. Submit a written application for approval by the Authority accompanied by––
      
      1. the proposed regulated agent security programme;
      2. the current scale map of the regulated agent premises; and
      3. the appropriate fees set out in the First Schedule of the Civil Aviation (Security and Facilitation) Regulations.
2. Once the security programme is approved, the regulated agent must ensure that such programme implemented is maintained in line with the National Civil Aviation Security Programme.
3. Such approved Regulated Agent Security Programme must be reviewed on an annual basis in terms of the regulations and submitted to the Authority for approval.

Download Regulated Agents list.

Flight Catering Operator Requirements

“Flight Catering Operator” is any enterprise that provides catering supplies for consumption on board an aircraft in flight engaged in the carriage of passengers. For any enterprise to meet the Flight Catering criteria and certification requirements, the following must be met:

1. For a flight catering operator to conduct flight catering operations he or she must:
   
   1. Develop a Flight Catering Operator Security Programme that meets the requirements of the Civil Aviation (Security and Facilitation) Regulations and the National Civil Aviation Security Programme; and
   2. Submit a written application for approval by the Authority accompanied by:
      
      1. the proposed flight catering operator security programme;
      2. the current scale map of the flight catering operator’s premises; and
      3. the appropriate fees set out in the First Schedule of the Civil Aviation (Security and Facilitation) Regulations.
2. Once the security programme is approved, the flight catering operator must ensure that such programme implemented is maintained in line with the National Civil Aviation Security Programme.
3. Such approved Flight Catering Operator Security Programme must be reviewed on an annual basis in terms of the regulations and submitted to the Authority for approval.

Aircraft Operator Requirements

“Aircraft Operator” is a person, organisation or enterprise engaged in or offering to engage in an aircraft operation. Aircraft Operator has two categories namely Local Aircraft Operator and Foreign Aircraft Operator.

A. Local Aircraft Operator

1. An aircraft operator whose principal place of business is located in Zimbabwe to operate an aircraft serving civil aviation for commercial purposes from or within Zimbabwe he or she must:
   
   1. Develop an Aircraft Operator Security Programme that meets the requirements of the Civil Aviation (Security and Facilitation) Regulations and the National Civil Aviation Security Programme; and
   2. Submit an application in Form A.S.1 specified in the Second Schedule of the Civil Aviation (Security and Facilitation) Regulations, for approval by the Authority accompanied by;
      
      1. the proposed aircraft operator security programme.
      2. the appropriate fee set out in the First Schedule of the Civil Aviation (Security and Facilitation) Regulations.
2. Once the security programme is approved, the aircraft operator must ensure that such programme implemented is maintained in line with the National Civil Aviation Security Programme.
3. Such approved Aircraft Operator Security Programme must be reviewed on an annual basis in terms of the regulations and submitted to the Authority for approval.

B. Foreign Aircraft Operator

Every foreign commercial air transport operator providing service to and from Zimbabwe shall submit the following to the Authority:

1. An Aircraft Operator Security Programme approved by the State of the Operator;
2. Written Supplementary Station Procedures that meet the requirements of the National Civil Aviation Security Programme of Zimbabwe, for approval; and
3. The appropriate fee set out in the First Schedule of the Civil Aviation (Security and Facilitation) Regulations.

Aerodrome Operator Requirements

“Aerodrome Operator” is an operator of a defined area on land or water (including any buildings, installations and equipment) intended to be used either wholly or in part for the arrival, departure and surface movement of aircraft.

1. For aerodrome operator to operate an aerodrome specified in his or her aerodrome licence he or she must:
   
   1. Develop an Aerodrome Security Programme that meets the requirements of the Civil Aviation (Security and Facilitation) Regulations and the National Civil Aviation Security Programme.
   2. Submit an application in Form A.S.2 specified in the Second Schedule of the Civil Aviation (Security and Facilitation) Regulations, for approval by the Authority accompanied by:
      
      1. the proposed aerodrome security programme.
      2. the current scale map of the approved aerodrome.
      3. the appropriate fee set out in the First Schedule.
2. Once the security programme is approved, the aerodrome operator must ensure that such programme implemented is maintained in line with the National Civil Aviation Security Programme.
3. Such approved Aerodrome Security Programme must be reviewed on an annual basis in terms of the regulations and submitted to the Authority for approval.

Aviation Fuel Operator Requirements

“Aviation Fuel Operator” is a company which is in the business of fuelling aircraft within an airport environment.

1. An aviation fuel operator to operate at an airport he or she must:
   
   1. Develop an Aviation Fuel Operator Security Programme that meets the requirements of the Civil Aviation (Security and Facilitation) Regulations and the National Civil Aviation Security Programme.
   2. Submit a written application for approval by the Authority accompanied by:
      
      1. the proposed aviation fuel operator security programme;
      2. the current scale map of the aviation fuel operator’s premises; and
      3. the appropriate fee set out in the First Schedule of the Civil Aviation (Security and Facilitation) Regulations.
2. Once the security programme is approved, the aviation fuel operator must ensure that such programme implemented is maintained in line with the National Civil Aviation Security Programme.
3. Such approved Aviation Fuel Operator Security Programme must be reviewed on an annual basis in terms of the regulations and submitted to the Authority for approval.

Aviation Security Service Provider Requirements

1. For an aviation security service provider to be contracted to provide security services at civil aviation facilities he or she must:
   
   1. Develop an Aviation Security Service Provider Procedures that meet the requirements of:
      
      1. the Civil Aviation (Security and Facilitation) Regulations;
      2. the National Civil Aviation Security Programme; and
      3. the Operator Security Programme.
   2. Submit a written application for approval by the Authority accompanied by––
      
      1. the proposed aviation security service provider procedures; and
      2. the appropriate fee set out in the First Schedule of the Civil Aviation (Security and Facilitation) Regulations.
2. Once the procedures are approved, the aviation security service provider shall ensure that such procedures implemented are maintained in line with the National Civil Aviation Security Programme.
3. An operator is prohibited from engaging the services of any person who has not been approved as an aviation security officer service provider by the Authority

The Aviation Security Confidential Reporting System

What is ASCRS?

ASCRS is a data collection system used for analysing information on aviation security gathered from sources outside the quality control system in order to obtain a more accurate picture of implementation.

The Informants?

Such sources include passengers, flight and cabin crew members, ground personnel, air traffic controllers, aircraft engineers, members of staff employed by aircraft and airport operators, maintenance organizations, other government agencies at airports, individuals involved in general aviation and the general public.

ASCRS Administration

The Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe, through the Aviation Security and Facilitation Regulatory Division, established an aviation security data collection system known as the Aviation Security Confidential Reporting System (ASCRS).

Features of the ASCRS

1. Voluntary, non-punitive
2. Confidential reporting channel
3. Aviation security incidents and deficiencies
4. Informants identity shall not be disclosed

The ASCRS Approach

1. The ASCRS does  not  obviate  the  need  for  mandatory  reporting  of aviation  security breaches and incidents to the relevant authorities under the existing laws.
2. The ASCRS provides an opportunity to learn from aviation security breaches and incidents and to prevent further aviation security breaches and incidents.
3. Response action may include investigations, corrective actions, other quality control process or enforcement action as appropriate.

When Do You Make A Report?

1. When you wish others to learn and benefit from the incident but are concerned about protecting your identity.
2. When there is no other appropriate reporting procedure or channel.
3. When you have tried other reporting procedure or channel without the issue having been addressed.

What Should Not Be Reported

1. Incidents or events with no aviation security content.
2. Personal problems, personality conflicts and industrial relations issues.
3. Legal/commercial disputes.

Who Should Report

Everyone is invited to contribute to aviation security by reporting on actual or potential aviation security incidents, and deficiencies in aviation security operations.

The Reporting Process

1. Telephone number : +263 242 585109
2. Postal Address : The Director General, Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe
   P.O. Box 7716, Harare, Zimbabwe

3. Suggestion box : Around the airports
4. E-mail address : avsecregulatory@caaz.co.zw

NB: The ASCRS form is a summarized report which contains information as the date of reporting, date of occurrence, aircraft/aerodrome operator, flight number, description of occurrence or observation. The ASCRS form is available at https://www.caaz.co.zw/regulatory

Director Aviation Security
Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe
International Terminal Building
R.G. Mugabe International Airport
Harare
Zimbabwe.
Telephone Number: +263 242 585109
Email:  avsecregulatory@caaz.co.zw