ALEXANDRIA, Va., September 21, 2006 – The American Association of Airport Executives and its Registered Traveler Interoperability Consortium (RTIC) submitted a final version of the RTIC Technical Interoperability Specification for the Registered Traveler program to the Transportation Security Administration. The RTIC Technical Interoperability Specification outlines the technical requirements necessary for a permanent, national and interoperable Registered Traveler program. The TSA has made an initial determination that the RTIC Technical Interoperability Specification satisfies TSA’s requirements for interoperability.

"AAAE and the RTIC are pleased to be a partner with TSA in the development and deployment of an RT program that will bring enhanced security and quicker screening processing," AAAE President Charles Barclay said. "TSA, with its acceptance of the RTIC Technical Interoperability Specification, is making significant progress in making RT across the country a reality this year."

Acceptance of the RTIC Technical Interoperability Specification is an important step toward the expected launch of the Registered Traveler program at airports across the country by the end of the year. TSA has also recently released several other very important documents needed for the implementation of an interoperable program – the draft Security, Privacy and Compliance Standards for Sponsoring Entities and Service Providers, Service Provider Initial Participation Requirements and Application Process, and the Privacy Impact Assessment.

"The TSA should be applauded for their excellent work completed under tight timeframes among competing priorities," Barclay continued. "The TSA matched the aggressive timeframe of the RTIC and, as a result, has taken great strides in moving this important program forward."

The RTIC was formed by a group of airports in conjunction with AAAE in June 2005 to create and implement an airport-driven national, interoperable Registered Traveler program. The RTIC airport members established the Service Provider Council as a way for private companies with experience and expertise in RT solutions, identity management, biometrics, and airport planning to participate in the development of technical standards and processes required for an interoperable RT program.

The RTIC Technical Interoperability Specification was developed by over 20 representatives of the Service Provider Council from more than ten different organizations who dedicated over 5000 work hours over the course of the summer to create a technical standards document in an unprecedented timeframe.

More information on the RTIC as well as a copy of the final version of the RTIC Technical Interoperability Specification can be found at www.rtconsortium.org.