3.1. Searching and Checking Aircraft

Regulation (EC) No 2320/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2002 establishing common rules in the field of civil aviation security (Text with EEA relevance) - Interinstitutional declaration · European Union

All aircraft shall be searched as follows: aircraft not in service shall be subjected to an ‘aircraft security search’ immediately before or immediately after being taken into a security restricted area for a flight: aircraft may be searched other than immediately before being taken into a security restricted area but shall be secured or guarded from the commencement of the search until departure; if searched after entry into a security restricted area it shall be secured or guarded from the commencement of the search until departure; aircraft in service, during turn-around, or transit stops, shall be subjected to an ‘aircraft security check’ immediately after passenger disembarkation or as late as possible before passenger boarding and baggage/cargo loading as appropriate. All aircraft security searches and aircraft security checks shall be conducted once all service providers (caterers, cleaners, duty-free and others), other than those involved in the security function, have left the aircraft and sterility shall be maintained until and throughout the boarding process and pre-departure.

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Source: EUR-Lex (Cellar) · retrieved 2026-11-10 · Text as adopted (Official Journal); later amendments are not incorporated in this text.