Owais Crawford
Terrorism in airports remains a critical issue, with security measures constantly evolving to counter threats. Airports and planes are attractive targets for terrorists due to their economic and symbolic significance. Since the devastating September 11 terrorist attacks, governments and aviation authorities have implemented stringent measures to safeguard transportation systems. This includes enhanced screening, behaviour pattern recognition, and improved security technologies. Despite these efforts, terrorists continue to devise new techniques, targeting both aircraft and airports. The challenge lies in balancing security and recovery while ensuring the safety of travellers in an ever-changing threat landscape.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Terrorist attacks on airports since 1980 | 75 |
| Terrorist attacks on civilian aircraft since 1980 | 150 |
| Fatalities from attacks on airports since 1980 | 76 |
| Fatalities from attacks on civilian aircraft since 1980 | 4,280 |
| Terrorist targets | Planes, military bases, passenger trains, chemical plants, storage for liquefied natural gas, nuclear power plants, toxic chemical storage facilities |
| Terrorist attack methods | Explosives, firearms, non-conventional weapons (e.g. anthrax, sarin, or a radiological "dirty" bomb) |
| Terrorist attack trends | Developing sophisticated techniques, low-tech approaches, leaderless resistance |
| Terrorist attack prevention | Comprehensive risk assessments, information sharing, business and community resilience, public-private partnerships, improved security measures, screening procedures, behaviour pattern recognition (BPR), special training for staff |
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What You'll Learn
Terrorist attacks on airports since 1980
Since 1980, airports have been the target of numerous terrorist attacks, with the RAND-MIPT Terrorism Incident Database listing 75 such attacks worldwide. These incidents have resulted in significant damage and casualties, with portable explosives being the most frequent and deadly method employed by terrorists.
One notable example of a terrorist attack on an airport is the 2016 Brussels Airport bombing, where two suicide bombers detonated their devices in the departure hall, killing 17 people and injuring many others. This attack highlighted the vulnerability of publicly accessible areas within airports, such as dining and shopping areas, which remain attractive targets for terrorists due to their high footfall and potential for causing disruption.
Another incident, the 2002 attack on the El Al ticket counter at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), resulted in three fatalities and was carried out using firearms. This attack demonstrated the adaptability of terrorists, as they exploited a security weakness by targeting a location outside of the main security screening areas.
In response to these threats, officials and security organisations have implemented various measures to enhance airport security and protect against future attacks. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA), established in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks, has introduced advanced imaging technology, explosives trace detection, and improved pat-down procedures to detect potential threats. Additionally, behaviour pattern recognition (BPR) programmes have been adopted, with specially trained officers patrolling terminals to monitor passenger behaviour and identify suspicious activities.
The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Counter-Terrorism Working Group (CTWG) and similar organisations have also played a crucial role in sharing best practices and recommendations for protecting vulnerable targets in the aviation industry. These efforts emphasise the importance of crisis preparedness, collaboration between airport personnel and local government agencies, and the implementation of multi-layered security procedures to mitigate the risk of terrorist attacks.
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Behavioural screening to detect terrorists
Despite the efforts of security services, terrorism remains a threat to airports. The aviation sector is an attractive target for terrorists due to its importance to the global economy. As such, officials are working to improve airport security worldwide.
Behavioural screening is one method used to detect terrorists. This involves specially trained officers, known as Behaviour Detection Officers, who watch and interact with passengers going through security screening. The officers are trained to look for observable behaviours that may indicate stress or deception. For example, a Behavioural Insights Approach to Fostering Resilience in Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (P/CVE) workbook includes a Mindfulness-Based Initiative (MBI) for Building Resilience Against Radicalization.
One controversial program used by the TSA is the Screening of Passengers by Observation Techniques (SPOT). The SPOT program uses a checklist of behaviours that indicate stress or deception. For example, passengers who arrive late for their flight or have a trembling adam's apple are given points on the checklist. However, the SPOT program has been criticized for being inconsistent and lacking scientific justification. Some former Behaviour Detection Officer managers have stated that the program is flawed and can lead to racial profiling.
Another example of behavioural screening is the behaviour pattern recognition (BPR) system used by Israeli officials. The BPR system has been successful in protecting air travellers in Israel for over 30 years. Ron, the developer of the BPR program, adapted it for use in the US at Logan International Airport. The BPR program trains officials to detect suspicious behaviour and respond by conducting interviews with selected individuals.
Overall, behavioural screening is an important tool in the fight against airport terrorism. While there are concerns about the effectiveness and potential biases of such programs, they offer a way to identify potential threats and prevent terrorist attacks.
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Terrorist targets and vulnerabilities
Terrorist groups often target planes and airports, despite the multiple layers of security in place. This is because planes and airports represent a high-consequence target with a large number of people, including Americans, in one place. Airports, in particular, are attractive targets due to their importance to the global economy.
Since the September 11 terrorist attacks, governments have been working to improve airport security worldwide. The US Department of State's Bureau of Counterterrorism and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) have been working with international partners to improve security measures and protect soft targets in the aviation sector. The TSA has implemented enhanced screening procedures, random searches, and advanced imaging and explosives detection technologies.
To combat the threat of terrorism, airports have introduced behaviour pattern recognition (BPR) systems, which involve training staff to spot suspicious behaviour and body language. For example, the British Airports Authority hired New Age Security Solutions to train staff at Heathrow and other airports to detect potential terrorists by observing body language and small facial movements. Similarly, Israeli officials have employed a successful version of this technique for years, and Ben Gurion Airport has had no major terrorist incidents in over 30 years.
In addition to behavioural screening, airports also have mechanical screening procedures for detecting weapons. However, these procedures have limitations, such as the inability to detect liquid explosives. As a result, there is a constant need to improve and adapt security measures to address evolving threats.
While airports and planes remain attractive targets, terrorist groups are also seeking easier, softer targets that can cause catastrophic damage. These targets may include military bases, passenger trains, chemical plants, and storage facilities for liquefied natural gas. Analysts are concerned about the potential for attacks on these softer targets, especially with the development of new techniques for evading security measures and the use of low-tech attack methods.
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Terrorist attacks on planes
Terrorism in airports and on planes remains a significant concern for security officials worldwide. The aviation sector is an attractive target for terrorists due to its importance to the global economy. As such, airports and planes continue to be vulnerable locations for potential terrorist attacks.
One of the most infamous terrorist attacks on planes was the September 11 attacks, commonly known as 9/11, in 2001. Nineteen al-Qaeda terrorists hijacked four commercial airliners, crashing two into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, a third into the Pentagon, and a fourth into a rural field in Pennsylvania during a passenger revolt. The attacks killed 2,977 people, making it the deadliest terrorist attack in history.
Another notable example is the Lockerbie bombing on December 21, 1988, when a bomb destroyed an aircraft operating a transatlantic route, killing all 243 passengers and 16 crew members. Large sections of the plane crashed onto a residential street in Lockerbie, Scotland, killing an additional 11 people on the ground. With a total of 270 fatalities, it is the deadliest terror attack in the United Kingdom's history.
In addition to these large-scale incidents, there have been numerous other terrorist attacks on planes over the years. For instance, on October 6, 1976, a Cuban Douglas DC-8 aircraft was brought down by a terrorist bomb attack just 11 minutes after takeoff, resulting in the deaths of all 73 passengers and crew members. Similarly, on April 15, 1986, Arab Revolutionary Cells claimed responsibility for a bomb explosion on TWA Flight 840, which killed four people and wounded nine others.
To prevent future attacks, officials are continuously working to enhance airport security worldwide. Various measures have been implemented, such as behavioural pattern recognition (BPR) programs, intensive passenger screening, and improved collaboration between airport personnel, law enforcement, and government agencies. These efforts aim to detect and deter potential threats, demonstrating the ongoing commitment to ensuring the safety of air travel.
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Airport security and screening procedures
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in the United States employs a layered approach to security, utilising both seen and unseen security measures. TSA officers screen passengers and their belongings to prevent prohibited items and other threats from entering sterile areas of the airport. This includes the use of electronic gates and X-ray machines to detect potential weapons. TSA also encourages the public to report any suspicious activities, such as unattended bags, individuals with threatening items, or attempts to enter restricted areas.
To enhance security further, TSA offers TSA PreCheck®, which provides expedited screening for enrolled travellers. This allows participants to keep their shoes and light jackets on and leave laptops in their bags during screening. Enrolment involves fingerprinting, document and photo capture, and payment.
In addition to technology and passenger screening, behaviour pattern recognition (BPR) has gained prominence as a tool to identify potential terrorists. This technique, used successfully in Israel for years, focuses on detecting suspicious behaviour through observation of gestures, conversations, facial expressions, and body language. Security officers are trained to identify individuals who may be concealing fear or anxiety and question them to assess their potential threat.
To strengthen airport security, collaboration between various stakeholders is crucial. Organisations like the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Counter-Terrorism Working Group (CTWG) bring together government agencies, law enforcement, industry partners, and regional and international organisations to share best practices and improve counterterrorism strategies. Comprehensive risk assessments, information sharing, crisis preparedness, and public-private partnerships are emphasised to protect airports and the travelling public from terrorist attacks.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, airports and aircraft are still targets of terrorism. The RAND-MIPT Terrorism Incident Database lists 225 attacks on civilian aircraft or airports worldwide since 1980.
Airports and aircraft are attractive targets for terrorists due to their importance to the global economy and the large number of people that can be found in them.
Airports have multiple layers of security to prevent terrorist attacks. These include mechanical screening for weapons, behavioural screening, and screening of checked baggage and carry-on luggage. Some airports have also implemented behaviour pattern recognition (BPR) to detect suspicious behaviour.
Improving airport security against terrorism involves collaboration between various stakeholders such as airport personnel, civil aviation authorities, law enforcement, the private sector, and local government agencies. Conducting regular risk assessments, sharing information, and implementing multi-layered security procedures are crucial to reducing vulnerabilities in airports.
Passengers can play a role in enhancing airport security by being vigilant and reporting any suspicious behaviour or activities. They should also follow the instructions and guidelines provided by airport authorities and security personnel.
