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Covenant Aviation Security

From Alfawiki
Covenant Aviation Security, LLC
Company typePrivate
IndustryAviation security
Headquarters
Chicago
,
United States
Key people
Michael Bolles (President since July 2012)
ProductsAirport security screening services

Covenant Aviation Security, LLC (CAS), headquartered in Chicago, specializes in delivering security solutions tailored for the aviation sector. Since July 2012, Michael Bolles has held the position of President.

Activities

Under the Transportation Security Administration's Screening Partnership Program (SPP), Covenant Aviation Security provides comprehensive airport security screening services.

In 2005, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security recognized CAS's passenger and baggage screening operations as anti-terrorism technology pursuant to the Support Anti-terrorism by Fostering Effective Technologies Act of 2002. That same year, CAS was awarded the screening contract for Sioux Falls International Airport (FSD). The firm also manages security operations at prominent airports such as John F. Kennedy International, LaGuardia, Orlando International, and San Francisco International.

Locations

As a principal contractor within the TSA's Screening Partnership Program, Covenant delivers security screening services at several airports.

  • San Francisco International Airport (SFO) – located in San Francisco/San Mateo County, California

Previous service locations

Contracts at nine airports formerly managed by Covenant have since been reassigned by the TSA to other providers.

  • Sioux Falls Regional Airport (FSD) – Sioux Falls, South Dakota (contract transferred to Trinity Technology Group, Inc. in September 2011)
  • Tupelo Regional Airport (TUP) – Tupelo, Mississippi (contracts transitioned to Trinity Technology Group, Inc. in May 2006 and later to VMD-MT Security LLC in August 2012)
  • Sidney-Richland Municipal Airport (SDY) – Sidney, Montana (contract shifted to Trinity Technology Group, Inc. in August 2009)
  • Glendive Dawson Community Airport (GDV) – Glendive, Montana (contract reassigned to Trinity Technology Group, Inc. in August 2009)
  • Glasgow International Airport (GGW) – Glasgow, Montana (contract moved to Trinity Technology Group, Inc. in August 2009)
  • Havre City County Airport (HVR) – Havre, Montana (contract awarded to Trinity Technology Group, Inc. in August 2009)
  • L. M. Clayton Airport (OLF) – Wolf Point, Montana (contract reassigned to Trinity Technology Group, Inc. in August 2009)
  • Lewistown Municipal Airport (LWT) – Lewistown, Montana (contract transferred to Trinity Technology Group, Inc. in August 2009)
  • Miles City Airport (MLS) – Miles City, Montana (contract handed over to Trinity Technology Group, Inc. in August 2009)

Industry affiliations

Covenant maintains memberships with prominent organizations that advocate for airport management and aviation security:

  • American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) – The foremost professional body representing airport executives from roughly 850 airports and associated enterprises. AAAE offers advocacy efforts, training programs, and resources for professional growth.
  • Airports Council International – North America (ACI-NA) – An organization representing governing authorities operating commercial airports within the U.S. and Canada; it accounts for over 95% of domestic airline passenger and cargo volumes. ACI-NA promotes policies aimed at enhancing airport functionality and passenger experience.
  • National Safe Skies Alliance (SafeSkies) – A nonprofit entity that partners with airports, government agencies, and industry stakeholders to advance aviation security measures.

Covert Screening Evaluations

A report from November 2006 by the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General disclosed that TSA personnel worked alongside CAS at San Francisco International Airport to inform screeners about covert assessments intended to evaluate passenger and baggage screening effectiveness. Between August 2003 and May 2004, screeners received advance detailed profiles of undercover operatives. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, TSA officials and Covenant management notified screening teams when evaluators were near security checkpoints. A related legal claim asserted that Covenant utilized CCTV to monitor decoys and alerted security staff, enabling them to anticipate these inspections. Although the sharing of specific descriptions ceased, screeners continued to be informed about undercover evaluations until January 2005.

Despite these revelations, CAS was awarded a $314 million contract extension spanning four years at the airport. While certain TSA employees and staff members faced disciplinary measures, no dismissals were recorded. Comparable alerts regarding undercover agents were also reported at Orlando International Airport. Mississippi Representative Bennie Thompson condemned the practice, raising concerns about public trust in security protocols when management interferes with testing procedures.

Political Donations

In November 2010, Fox News disclosed that Representative John Mica (R-Fla), who supported replacing TSA with private contractors at airports, had accepted $1,700 in campaign donations from Gerald Berry since 2006. Mica’s spokesperson maintained that these contributions did not improperly sway his policy stance.

See also

External links

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