Foreign Airport Security: A Necessary Burden?

Airport security is a combination of measures and human and material resources in order to safeguard civil aviation against acts of unlawful interference. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is responsible for conducting foreign airport assessments and air carrier inspections to ensure compliance with security requirements. These measures are implemented to prevent any threats or potentially dangerous situations from arising or entering the country.

The TSA has implemented unpredictable security measures, both seen and unseen, to accomplish their transportation security mission. Security measures begin long before passengers arrive at the airport, with the TSA working closely with intelligence and law enforcement communities to share information.

The TSA has also introduced a trusted traveler program, which critics argue decreases security by providing an easier path for contraband to be carried through.

The TSA's efforts to evaluate the security of foreign airports and air carriers that service the United States are of great importance, particularly considering that flights bound for the United States from foreign countries continue to be targets of coordinated terrorist activity.

The TSA has assisted foreign officials and air carrier representatives in addressing security deficiencies identified during TSA assessments and inspections. However, the TSA's oversight of the foreign airport assessment and air carrier inspection programs could be strengthened. For example, the TSA does not have adequate controls in place to track whether scheduled assessments and inspections were actually conducted, deferred, or canceled.

The TSA has also taken steps to address challenges that have limited its ability to conduct foreign airport assessments and air carrier inspections, including a lack of available inspectors, concerns regarding the resource burden placed on host governments as a result of frequent airport visits, and host government concerns regarding sovereignty.

Foreign airport security measures are designed to protect passengers, staff, aircraft, and airport property from malicious harm, crime, terrorism, and other threats

Techniques and Methods

Foreign airport security employs various techniques and methods to identify and mitigate potential threats. These include:

• Passenger screening: Passengers are screened using metal detectors, millimeter wave scanners, X-ray machines, and explosives trace detection machines.
• Carry-on and checked baggage screening: Bags are screened for explosives, dangerous items, and prohibited items.
• Unpredictable security measures: Foreign airports implement unpredictable security protocols, both seen and unseen, to enhance security.
• Intelligence and information sharing: Security agencies collaborate with intelligence and law enforcement to share information and identify potential threats.
• Reporting suspicious activities: The public is encouraged to report unattended bags, individuals with threatening items, and suspicious activities to authorities.
• Restricted areas: Airports have designated secure areas, such as Security Identification Display Areas (SIDAs), that require special qualifications or access control to enter.

Human Resources

The human element is crucial in foreign airport security. This includes:

• Dedicated airport police forces: Some countries have dedicated police forces like the Australian Federal Police or the Irish Airport Police Service to protect their airports.
• Local law enforcement: In some cases, local police departments or branches are assigned to airports, providing a security presence.
• Airport protection services: Countries may have specialized airport protection services, such as the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
• Canine units: Police dog services are utilized for explosive detection, drug detection, and other security purposes.
• Conversation-based detection: In some countries, trained individuals engage passengers in conversations to detect potential threats, rather than relying solely on technology.

Material Resources

Foreign airport security also relies on a range of material resources and technologies:

• Advanced imaging technology: Millimeter wave advanced imaging technology is used to screen passengers for metallic and non-metallic threats without physical contact.
• Walk-through metal detectors: These detect metallic objects on passengers and help prevent weapons from being carried onto aircraft.
• X-ray machines: Used for baggage screening and, in some cases, passenger screening to identify prohibited items and potential threats.
• Explosive trace detection: Machines like "puffer machines" and gas chromatography devices are employed to detect traces of explosives.
• Artificial intelligence: AI systems are utilized for translation services, process optimization, and may be integrated with other technologies like CT machines for enhanced security.
• Perimeter intrusion detection: Fiber optic perimeter intrusion detection systems allow security personnel to detect and locate any breaches in the airport perimeter, ensuring immediate response to potential threats.

Foreign airport security measures are comprehensive and multi-layered, aiming to protect all aspects of aviation operations from potential threats. These measures are constantly evolving to address new challenges and maintain the safety of passengers, staff, aircraft, and airport property.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) works with intelligence and law enforcement communities to share information and implement security measures

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is an agency of the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that has the authority over the security of transportation systems within and connecting to the United States. It was created in response to the September 11 attacks to improve airport security procedures and consolidate air travel security under a federal law enforcement agency.

The TSA works closely with intelligence and law enforcement communities to share information and implement security measures. They adjust their processes and procedures to meet evolving threats and achieve the highest levels of transportation security. The TSA also counts on the travelling public to report suspicious activities at airports, train stations, bus stops, and ports.

The TSA's intelligence-driven, risk-based approach to security comprises multiple security methods, cutting-edge technology, and a flexible, highly trained workforce. They employ nearly 65,000 people, including approximately 50,000 transportation security officers, transportation security inspectors, transportation security specialists, and other security professionals.

The TSA has taken steps to enhance its foreign airport assessments and air carrier inspections since 2011. They have implemented targeted foreign airport assessments in high-risk locations and developed the Global Risk Analysis and Decision Support System to strengthen data analysis. The TSA has also increased the number of joint airport assessments with the European Commission, which has afforded them excellent access to foreign airports in Europe and a better understanding of vulnerabilities at these locations.

The TSA addresses identified deficiencies at foreign airports through capacity development, such as training and on-the-spot counselling. However, the TSA's database for tracking the resolution status of security deficiencies has been found to lack comprehensive data on security deficiencies' root causes and corrective actions, as well as adequate categorization mechanisms. To strengthen analysis and decision-making, the TSA has been recommended to fully collect these data and improve the specificity of categorisation.

The TSA uses unpredictable security measures, both seen and unseen, to accomplish its transportation security mission

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) uses unpredictable security measures, both seen and unseen, to accomplish its transportation security mission. This includes the use of advanced imaging technology and walk-through metal detectors to screen passengers for metallic and non-metallic threats, including weapons and explosives. The TSA also incorporates security measures before travellers arrive at the airport and works closely with intelligence and law enforcement communities to share information.

The TSA has taken steps to enhance its foreign airport assessments and air carrier inspections, including aligning resources based on risk, resolving airport access issues, making evaluations more comprehensive, and creating operational efficiencies. For example, the TSA has implemented targeted foreign airport assessments in high-risk locations and developed the Global Risk Analysis and Decision Support System to strengthen data analysis. The TSA has also increased the number of joint airport assessments with the European Commission, which has provided the agency with excellent access to foreign airports in Europe and a better understanding of vulnerabilities at these locations.

The TSA's security measures are designed to protect the nation's transportation systems and ensure the freedom of movement for people and commerce. The TSA was created in response to the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, which resulted in the deaths of nearly 3,000 people and highlighted the need for strengthened transportation security. The TSA works to prevent similar attacks by incorporating unpredictable security measures throughout the airport, including passenger screening, carry-on and checked baggage screening, and pat-down procedures.

The TSA's security measures are constantly evolving to meet the changing threat landscape and achieve the highest levels of transportation security. The agency adjusts its processes and procedures to address emerging threats and enhance security. The TSA also counts on the travelling public to report any suspicious activities, such as unattended bags, individuals with threatening items, or persons attempting to enter restricted areas. By combining unpredictable security measures with public vigilance, the TSA strives to accomplish its mission of ensuring safe and secure transportation for all.

The TSA has a 'Secure Flight' program, which is a risk-based passenger pre-screening program that identifies low and high-risk passengers before they arrive at the airport

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has a Secure Flight program, which is a risk-based passenger pre-screening program that identifies low and high-risk passengers before they arrive at the airport. The program matches passenger names against trusted traveller lists and watchlists. The program collects the minimum amount of personal information necessary to conduct effective matching, such as full name, date of birth, and sex. This information is collected, used, distributed, stored, and disposed of according to stringent guidelines.

The Secure Flight program transmits screening instructions back to airlines to identify low-risk passengers eligible for TSA PreCheck, individuals on the Selectee List who are designated for enhanced screening, and those who will receive standard screening. The program also prevents individuals on the No Fly List and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Do Not Board List from boarding an aircraft.

The Secure Flight program is designed to screen individuals before they access airport sterile areas or board aircraft. The screening is designed to identify known or suspected terrorists or other individuals who may be a threat to transportation or national security. The program also prevents some identified individuals from gaining access to airports and airplanes, and ensures that other identified individuals receive enhanced physical screening prior to accessing airport sterile areas or boarding an aircraft. Secure Flight performs watch list matching on carrier-provided traveller information to the No Fly and Selectee portions of the Terrorist Screening Database (TSDB), as well as other watch lists to identify individuals who may need additional screening or are prevented from travel.

The TSA uses advanced imaging technology and walk-through metal detectors to screen passengers

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) uses advanced imaging technology and walk-through metal detectors to screen passengers. These security measures are part of the TSA's layered approach to security, which is designed to get passengers to their destination safely.

Advanced imaging technology uses non-ionizing radio-frequency energy in the millimetre spectrum to screen passengers for metallic and non-metallic threats, including weapons and explosives, which may be concealed under clothing. This technology does not use X-ray and has no known adverse health effects. It also protects passengers' privacy by using automated target recognition software that eliminates passenger-specific images and instead auto-detects potential threats by indicating their location on a generic outline of a person. This generic outline is identical for all passengers.

Metal detectors use magnetic fields to identify metal objects. They create a magnetic field using a brief pulse of electrical current. If there are any metal objects present, the magnetic field will reflect back to the machine, and a beeping noise will sound to alert the TSA agent.

The TSA also uses other methods to screen passengers, such as pat-downs. These may be required if the screening technology alarms, as part of unpredictable security measures, for enhanced screening, or as an alternative to other types of screening. Pat-downs may include an inspection of the head, neck, arms, torso, legs, and feet, and can include sensitive areas such as breasts, groin, and buttocks. The officer will advise the passenger of the procedure to help them anticipate any actions before they feel them.

Frequently asked questions