Owais Crawford
Airport security is a complex and dynamic field that plays a critical role in ensuring the safety of passengers, staff, and aircraft. With a constant evolution of threats, including terrorism, natural disasters, and health risks, airports worldwide have had to adapt their security measures to meet these challenges. Secondary airports, also known as regional or non-hub airports, often serve smaller populations and may have fewer resources than larger, more prominent airports. This raises the question: are these smaller airports as safe as their larger counterparts? This question is especially pertinent given that security threats often target airports with high passenger volumes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To protect the airport and country from any threatening events, to reassure the travelling public that they are safe and to protect the country and its people |
| Techniques | Screening passengers and their luggage for explosives and other dangerous items, such as liquids over 100ml, and electronic devices |
| Training | The TSA works closely with intelligence and law enforcement communities to share information. The National Business Aviation Association groups safety into two key components: Top Safety Issues and Foundations for Safety, which are practices and behaviours that form a foundation to support safety, including risk management, ensuring fitness for duty, safety leadership and technical excellence |
| Screening | Screening procedures are intended to prevent prohibited items and other threats to transportation security from entering the sterile area of the airport |
| Security Measures | Security measures can be seen and unseen and are adjusted to meet evolving threats |
| Safety Management | A safety management system (SMS) can be employed by airport leadership to adopt a broader, more strategic view and establish a holistic and proactive approach to safety |
| Staff Threat | Insider threats can primarily involve staff members engaging in criminal activities such as drug smuggling, stealing from bags, and terrorism. To mitigate these risks, airports should undertake thorough screenings of personnel, enforce access controls, deploy monitoring systems, and establish comprehensive security protocols and procedures |
| Natural Disasters | Natural disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes, volcanic eruptions, and floods can cause infrastructure destruction, reduced demand, flight disruptions, and heightened financial burdens |
| Health Security | Since the pandemic, health security measures have increased exponentially |
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What You'll Learn
Screening passengers and their luggage
Passenger screening typically involves passing through Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT) and placing carry-on luggage on X-ray machines for inspection. Passengers are required to remove light outerwear or bulky clothing, and any electronic devices larger than a cell phone must be placed separately in a bin for X-ray screening. These measures help identify prohibited items, explosives, and other dangerous objects.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in the United States employs unpredictable security protocols to enhance transportation security. They work closely with intelligence and law enforcement agencies to gather information and adapt their procedures to evolving threats. TSA also relies on the public to report any suspicious activities, such as unattended bags, individuals with threatening items, or attempts to access restricted areas.
Additionally, risk-based passenger pre-screening programs, such as Secure Flight, enhance security by identifying low and high-risk passengers before they arrive at the airport. This is achieved by matching passenger information against trusted traveller lists and watchlists while minimising the collection of personal data. Secure Flight then transmits instructions to airlines for different levels of screening, including TSA PreCheck® for low-risk passengers and enhanced screening for those on the Selectee List.
While screening procedures are crucial for security, they also introduce hygiene challenges. For example, a study at Helsinki-Vantaa airport identified plastic security screening trays as a vector for the spread of respiratory viruses. This highlights the importance of enhancing sanitation practices in these areas to maintain public health.
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Screening staff and contractors
The TSA, for instance, utilizes a risk-based passenger pre-screening program called Secure Flight to identify potential risks before passengers arrive at the airport. This program matches passenger names against trusted traveller lists and watchlists while collecting minimal personal information to protect privacy. Additionally, the TSA works closely with intelligence and law enforcement agencies to share information and adjust their procedures to meet evolving threats.
At airports, screening staff conduct thorough checks of carry-on and checked baggage, searching for explosives, dangerous items, and prohibited substances such as liquids over 100ml, which poses the risk of liquid explosives. They also screen personal electronic devices, requiring larger items like laptops to be placed separately in plastic bins for X-ray screening.
To address staffing needs, the TSA and other airport authorities may employ private security screening companies or contractors. These contractors must adhere to stringent security standards and background checks, receiving training from the TSA to ensure consistent procedures. However, there have been concerns about staffing levels, with private contractors facing limitations in hiring and implementing innovative approaches due to strict regulations.
To enhance security further, airports can establish voluntary reporting systems for frontline personnel to anonymously report risks or hazards. This proactive approach enables better preparedness and safety by addressing potential issues that may otherwise go unnoticed.
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Safety management systems
SMS provides a structured, repeatable, systematic approach to proactively identify hazards and manage safety risks. It includes systematic procedures, practices, and policies for the management of safety risks. SMS enforces the concept that safety should be managed with as much emphasis, commitment, and focus as any other critical area of an organization.
The implementation of SMS involves the following key steps:
- Setting goals and developing implementation plans: Organizations should set clear goals for their SMS and create detailed plans to achieve those goals.
- Documenting processes: It is important to have a well-defined and documented process for identifying and mitigating safety risks. This includes establishing a structured safety data collection and management system to gain insights and intelligence on potential hazards.
- Evaluating performance: Organizations should regularly evaluate their safety performance using tailored safety performance indicators to ensure the effectiveness of their risk controls.
- Training and promoting safety culture: Providing training to staff on safety risk assessment and creating a positive safety culture through the sharing of safety trends, knowledge, and good practices.
- Data sharing and collaboration: Encouraging data sharing and collaboration between different organizations, such as air traffic management, police, and the military, to establish a viable system that ensures overall safety.
SMS has gained wide support in the aviation community as it delivers real safety and financial benefits. It helps organizations identify and mitigate safety risks during their day-to-day operations, ultimately improving safety performance and reducing the possibility of incidents or accidents.
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Health security measures
While airport safety and security are two distinct topics, improving security measures often enhances safety. Safety refers to minimizing accidental, unintentional threats, while security refers to protecting against malicious threats.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, several airports implemented health security measures to protect passengers and staff. For instance, Robson Freitas developed the COVID Guardians program at BH Airport, which monitored and followed up on the implementation of health measures and advised users and employees on compliance with distancing, hygiene, and health recommendations. Additionally, a COVID booklet and a monthly newsletter were created to provide information and guidance on good hygiene and health practices.
Delhi International Airport (DEL) also demonstrated exemplary leadership in managing the pandemic. They implemented multiple initiatives to ensure business continuity, including passenger safety and convenience, stakeholder management, and employee safety. They worked closely with government stakeholders to implement several indigenous technology solutions, such as air circulation with six changes per hour and a combination of UV and plasma disinfection systems, to provide a safe travel experience.
Furthermore, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in the United States employs a layered approach to security, including both visible and unseen measures. They work closely with intelligence and law enforcement agencies to adapt their security procedures based on evolving threats. TSA also encourages the traveling public to report any suspicious activities, such as unattended bags or individuals possessing threatening items. These measures contribute to the overall health security of airports by helping to identify and mitigate potential risks.
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Screening connecting passengers
One key measure is the use of advanced imaging technology (AIT), such as millimeter-wave scanners. These scanners can detect metallic and non-metallic items, including weapons and explosives, concealed under clothing without physical contact. Passengers selected for enhanced screening, based on risk assessments, may undergo AIT screening. However, passengers can generally choose to decline AIT in favour of physical screening, which may include pat-down procedures. During pat-downs, officers may inspect areas like the head, neck, arms, torso, legs, and feet, including sensitive areas with the necessary privacy protections.
Additionally, secondary airports employ risk-based passenger prescreening programs such as Secure Flight, which identifies low and high-risk passengers before their arrival by matching names against trusted traveller lists and watchlists. This helps focus resources on passengers more likely to pose a risk. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security also mandates enhanced security measures at foreign airports with direct flights to the U.S., which may result in a more extensive screening process for connecting passengers.
To further enhance security, connecting passengers are typically required to undergo carry-on baggage screening. They must remove personal electronic devices larger than cell phones from their bags for separate X-ray screening. Liquids carried by passengers are also strictly regulated, with limitations on quantities to mitigate the risk of liquid explosives.
While screening procedures are essential, they can introduce hygiene challenges. Airports are encouraged to implement enhanced sanitation practices, especially for frequently touched surfaces like plastic security screening trays. Overall, the combination of security measures, human resources, and technology ensures the safety of connecting passengers at secondary airports.
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Frequently asked questions
Airport security includes the techniques and methods used to protect passengers, staff, aircraft, and airport property from malicious harm, crime, terrorism, and other threats.
Air travel in the U.S. is considered safe and secure. The Transportation Security Agency (TSA) employs multiple layers of security, both seen and unseen, to protect passengers.
Airports employ various measures to ensure safety, including crisis response squads, backup plans, effective communication channels, and strategic recovery approaches. They also implement safety management systems (SMS) to proactively address risks and establish policies and procedures that improve overall safety.
