Aviation Security Service

What Aviation Security Service does

Aviation Security Service (AvSec) is the statutorily mandated aviation security division of the Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand, established in 1977 to discharge New Zealand's ICAO Annex 17 obligations as a contracting state. It provides passenger and baggage security screening services at all New Zealand international airports, operating from its Wellington headquarters with screening operations at Auckland, Christchurch, and (from July 2026) Hamilton. Its service portfolio comprises walk-through and hand-held metal detection, Advanced Imaging Technology (body scanners), X-ray screening of cabin and hold baggage, behavioural detection by certified officers, airport identity card issuance, and an in-house explosive detection canine unit trained specifically for aviation explosives.

The underlying technology stack is conventional security hardware — X-ray systems, AIT body scanners, metal detectors — combined with human-led behavioural detection and canine explosive detection. There is no disclosed AI/ML component to screening operations. The service processes the entire commercial international passenger flow exiting New Zealand; in 2025 alone AvSec removed 282,816+ batteries from passengers' luggage, illustrating operational scale.

AvSec operates as a government state entity with no private shareholders. Funding flows through NZ government appropriations and regulated user fees/levies on airlines and passengers under the Civil Aviation Charges Regulations. Pricing is not market-determined — fees are regulatory and non-refundable. AvSec serves three core customer segments: commercial aviation passengers (mandatory end-users), NZ airports and airlines (enterprise B2B counterparties for compliance), and passengers with medical needs requiring special screening accommodations. Beyond domestic screening, AvSec supports other government agencies (NZ Police, Ministry of Health) during emergencies — notably during the COVID-19 response under section 80(eb) of the Civil Aviation Act 1990. The organisation is also bound by international regulatory commitments including the ICAO USOAP (2025 audit scored 70.05%) and bilateral aviation safety arrangements with the FAA, EASA, CASA, CAAS, CAAC, TCCA, and Pacific nations.

Name

Aviation Security Service

Legal name

Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand

Website

https://aviation.govt.nz

Company type

Private

Founded year

1977

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

AvSec is the New Zealand government's mandated aviation security screening division, providing passenger and baggage screening, body scanners, X-ray, and explosive detection dogs at all international airports under the Civil Aviation Authority.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aviation Security Services

NAICS

Airport Operations (48811)

SIC

Airports, Flying Fields & Airport Terminal Services (4581)

akta.pro primary industry

Passenger & Terminal Screening Services (BPAKAMAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Hold Baggage & Cargo Screening Services (BPAKAMAB), Airside Access Control & Perimeter Security (BPAKAMAC), Aviation Security Training, Compliance & Audits (AVSEC Programs) (BPAKAMAH)

Keywords

• Aviation security services
• Airport passenger screening
• Baggage x-ray screening
• Explosive detection dogs
• Airport identity cards

Headquarters

HQ city

Wellington

HQ country

New Zealand

HQ region

Oceania

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Security Screening Services: Government-funded security screening services at New Zealand airports, funded through a combination of government appropriations and user fees charged to airlines and passengers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

AvSec provides mandated aviation security screening at New Zealand's international airports, including passenger screening (walk-through and hand-held metal detectors, Advanced Imaging Technology body scanners), cabin baggage and hold luggage X-ray screening, explosive detection dog patrols, behavioural detection, and airport identity card issuance for airport workers. The service is the government-mandated security provider operating under ICAO Annex 17 and the Civil Aviation Act to keep prohibited items and dangerous goods off aircraft.

Product overview

The Aviation Security Service (AvSec) provides comprehensive aviation security services for New Zealand as part of the Civil Aviation Authority. The core offerings include security screening services (metal detectors, body scanners, X-ray bag screening), explosive detection canine units, airport identity card services, and behavioural detection. Advanced Imaging Technology (body scanners) have been rolled out across international airports. The service focuses on keeping New Zealand skies safe and secure through passenger screening, baggage inspection, and security area patrols.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Security Screening Services Mandated passenger and baggage security screening at New Zealand's international airports, combining walk-through and hand-held metal detectors with X-ray screening of cabin and hold baggage, including authorization for officers to open, search, and remove dangerous goods.
• Advanced Imaging Technology (Body Scanners) Body scanner screening service rolled out across New Zealand's international airports for enhanced passenger screening to detect concealed threats.
• Explosive Detection Dogs Canine units trained specifically to detect explosives (distinct from Customs or MPI dogs which target drugs or food), deployed at New Zealand international airports for passenger and area screening.
• Airport Identity Cards Security identity card service for airport workers, including permanent and temporary cards, with employer guidance, to control access to secure airside areas.
• Behavioural Detection Behavioural detection service performed by certified AvSec officers trained to identify potentially suspicious behaviour among passengers at screening checkpoints.

Quantifiable outcome

• 282,816+ batteries removed from passengers' luggage in 2025
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Civil Aviation Safety Authority of Australia (CASA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2019MOU signed in March 2019 enhancing cooperation through sharing technical assistance, training, knowledge, and safety information. Reflects the longstanding relationship between NZ and Australia in aviation safety regulation.
• International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 December 1944New Zealand was among the 52 States that signed the Chicago Convention in 1944, establishing ICAO as a UN specialized agency. ICAO sets global standards for aviation safety and security, including Annex 17 on Security. AvSec's establishment directly reflects ICAO Annex 17 requirements adopted in 1974.
• Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnical Arrangement on Aircraft Maintenance (2007) avoids duplication of inspections. 2023 MOU establishes framework for cooperation in civil aviation safety including technical arrangements, training, and international engagement.
• Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS)coreTechnology or IntegrationTechnical Arrangement on Maintenance signed September 2022 for reciprocal acceptance of aviation safety regulatory systems regarding product maintenance and certification. 2019 MOU for cooperation on airworthiness certification, maintenance arrangements, and safety information sharing.
• Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC)majorTechnology or IntegrationTechnical Arrangement on Design Approval, Export Airworthiness Certification and Post Design Approval Activities signed December 2012 specifies process for acceptance of airworthiness certifications and design approvals.
• European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFebruary 2024 MOU signed by Director of Civil Aviation Keith Manch and EASA Acting Executive Director Luc Tytgat to facilitate closer cooperation. Provides high-level framework for exchange of technical knowledge and safety information.
• United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBilateral Aviation Safety Agreement (BASA) signed March 2002 promotes aviation safety through reciprocal acceptance of airworthiness approvals, maintenance facilities, flight simulators, and crew certifications. Implementation Procedures for Airworthiness signed December 2015.
• New Zealand PolicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAvSec officers support Police, Ministry of Health and other government agencies. Under section 80(eb) of Civil Aviation Act 1990, AvSec assists with COVID-19 pandemic response including quarantine facility security, compliance checks, and community patrols.
• Pacific Aviation Safety Office (PASO)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorking Arrangement signed June 2008 enables CAA inspectors to assist PASO in providing advice to member states. Memorandum of Cooperation signed 2005 for exchange of regulatory documents and consultation on aviation policies.
• Samoa Ministry of TransportminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAgreement signed 1998 for CAA to provide advice and technical assistance on civil aviation safety and security matters in Samoa.
• Tonga Ministry of Civil AviationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAgreement signed 2006 for CAA to provide advice and technical assistance on civil aviation safety and security matters in Tonga.
• Cook Islands Ministry of TransportminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAgreement signed 2006 for CAA to provide advice and technical assistance on aviation safety and security matters in Cook Islands.
• Niue GovernmentminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAgreement completed 2007 for CAA to provide advice and technical assistance on aviation safety and security matters in Niue.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA): EU-level aviation safety and security regulator with which CAA NZ signed an MOU in February 2024. Comparable regulatory authority, ICAO alignment, and cross-border cooperation framework, though EASA operates at supranational rather than national level.
• Federal Aviation Administration (FAA): US civil aviation regulator holding a 2002 BASA and 2015 Implementation Procedures for Airworthiness with CAA NZ. While FAA's primary focus is safety oversight rather than screening, it is a comparable federal-level aviation regulator and ICAO contracting-state counterpart.
• Transport Security Administration (TSA): The US federal aviation security agency responsible for passenger and baggage screening across US airports. Operates a similar statutory mandate under federal authority, with comparable screening technology (body scanners, X-ray, behavioural detection) and a larger, more complex operational footprint than AvSec.
• UK Department for Transport — Aviation Security Branch: Sets UK aviation security policy and contracts screening operations to regulated providers. Comparable regulatory authority model (statutory mandate + ICAO compliance + Crown funding) but operates through a regulated-private-partnership delivery model rather than in-house screening.
• Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC): China's national aviation regulator with extensive security screening mandate. Holds a 2012 technical arrangement with CAA NZ for airworthiness cooperation; comparable regulatory authority structure but vastly larger operational scale.

Direct peers

• Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS): Singapore's national aviation regulator with security screening functions, holding 2019 and 2022 MOUs with CAA NZ. Comparable statutory structure, ICAO Annex 17 compliance mandate, and hub-airport operational footprint.
• Australian Government — Aviation and Maritime Security Division: The Australian counterpart providing aviation security policy and oversight, with which CAA/AvSec already has a 2019 MOU for cooperation. Operates under similar statutory authority, ICAO Annex 17 alignment, and Commonwealth government oversight structure.
• Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA): Canada's national agency for aviation security screening, also a Crown entity providing passenger and baggage screening at designated airports. Closely comparable mandate, governance model, and screening scope to AvSec's New Zealand operations.

Emerging players

• ICTS Europe Systems: Private aviation security services provider operating passenger and baggage screening at multiple European airports under government contracts. Comparable core service (passenger/baggage screening, body scanners, behaviour detection) but operates commercially rather than as a state entity.

Regional players

• Securitas Aviation (Australia/NZ): Private security provider operating aviation security services at airports in Australia and New Zealand. Comparable screening services (passenger, baggage, terminal security) but competes under commercial contracts rather than holding a statutory monopoly like AvSec.

Market position

Strengths1 record

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCWFHIXlzuH3VlcC0AvCB4MA
• Facebookfacebook.com/AvSecNZ
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/aviation-security-service

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Aviation Security Service