# 49 C.F.R. § 1542.203 (2026): Security of the air operations area (AOA)

> Federal · Regulations · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T49_P1542_S1542_203

## Section

- **Citation:** 49 C.F.R. § 1542.203 (2026)
- **Heading:** Security of the air operations area (AOA)
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Regulations
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Title 49 CFR: Transportation / Chapter XII: TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY / Part 1542: AIRPORT SECURITY / Subpart C: Operations / § 1542.203: § 1542.203   Security of the air operations area (AOA).

## Text

(a) Each airport operator required to have a security program under § 1542.103(a) must establish an AOA, unless the entire area is designated as a secured area.
(b) Each airport operator required to establish an AOA must prevent and detect the unauthorized entry, presence, and movement of individuals and ground vehicles into or within the AOA by doing the following:
(1) Establish and carry out measures for controlling entry to the AOA of the airport in accordance with § 1542.207.
(2) Provide for detection of, and response to, each unauthorized presence or movement in, or attempted entry to, the AOA by an individual whose access is not authorized in accordance with its security program.
(3) Provide security information as described in § 1542.213(c) to each individual with unescorted access to the AOA.
(4) Post signs on AOA access points and perimeters that provide warning of the prohibition against unauthorized entry to the AOA. Signs must be posted by each airport operator in accordance with its security program not later than November 14, 2003.
(5) If approved by TSA, the airport operator may designate all or portions of its AOA as a SIDA, or may use another personnel identification system, as part of its means of meeting the requirements of this section. If it uses another personnel identification system, the media must be clearly distinguishable from those used in the secured area and SIDA.

## Nearby sections

- [49 C.F.R. § 1542.201 (2026) § 1542.201   Security of the secured area.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T49_P1542_S1542_201.md)
- [49 C.F.R. § 1542.203 (2026) § 1542.203   Security of the air operations area (AOA).](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T49_P1542_S1542_203.md)
- [49 C.F.R. § 1542.205 (2026) § 1542.205   Security of the security identification display area (SIDA).](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T49_P1542_S1542_205.md)
- [49 C.F.R. § 1542.207 (2026) § 1542.207   Access control systems.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T49_P1542_S1542_207.md)
- [49 C.F.R. § 1542.209 (2026) § 1542.209   Fingerprint-based criminal history records checks (CHRC).](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T49_P1542_S1542_209.md)
- [49 C.F.R. § 1542.211 (2026) § 1542.211   Identification systems.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T49_P1542_S1542_211.md)
- [49 C.F.R. § 1542.213 (2026) § 1542.213   Training.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T49_P1542_S1542_213.md)
- [49 C.F.R. § 1542.215 (2026) § 1542.215   Law enforcement support.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T49_P1542_S1542_215.md)
- [49 C.F.R. § 1542.217 (2026) § 1542.217   Law enforcement personnel.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T49_P1542_S1542_217.md)
- [49 C.F.R. § 1542.219 (2026) § 1542.219   Supplementing law enforcement personnel.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T49_P1542_S1542_219.md)
- [49 C.F.R. § 1542.221 (2026) § 1542.221   Records of law enforcement response.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T49_P1542_S1542_221.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T49_P1542_S1542_203. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.