US agency approves three airport security agreements with Amazon.com Air unit

A US agency said Thursday it is permitting three airports to enter into security agreements with Amazon.com Inc's Amazon Air unit that will allow the company to assume some security functions and facilitate Amazon's rapid planned hiring at the airports. In a notice, the TSA said Cincinnati/Northern, Baltimore/Washington, and Chicago Rockford can enter into agreements allowing Amazon Air to assume some security functions. The agreements are typically used when an entire airport terminal is serviced exclusively by one aircraft operator. The exemption will allow Amazon to assume physical control of some airport access and "initiate the employee vetting functions that the airport authorities would otherwise be required to conduct" as well as handle ID issues. "Amazon Air possesses the latest, sophisticated access control and monitoring systems that enhance security by significantly restricting access to cargo and aircraft," TSA said. TSA said the exemptions will "facilitate the rapid hiring of significant numbers of new personnel to support Amazon Air’s expanded presence at these locations, aiding the economy in the surrounding areas." A TSA spokesman said the agreements hold Amazon Air "to the same TSA-regulated security standards that airport and aircraft operators adhere to in their operations."<br/>