Air Travel Safe and Comfortable with Aviation Security

Did you know? Intentionally-caused crashes involving aeroplanes have occurred since at least the 1930s (CNN). The airports around the world have suffered added layers of security since the 9/11 attacks and many overseas airports require a secondary security check (Satar, n.d.). At the security checkpoints, passengers must undergo more extensive screening before boarding. The biggest challenge for the aviation industry is to ensure the safety and security of the public around the airport and onboard. So, how to make air travel safe and comfortable with aviation security? Let’s learn about 5 ways to protect commercial aviation from terrorist attacks and aviation incidents.

• Defence & Detection system
• Access control systems (ACS)
• Closed-circuit television (CCTV)
• Inspection & Screening
• Inside aeroplane checks

Defence & Detection System

The front line of defence in airport security is fences, barriers and security guards. Tall fences or security guards help to keep the intruder and the bad guys out. Large concrete barriers serve to block any access for suspicious vehicles up to the size of large moving trucks from entering the airport area. The security guards patrolling the airport area and stay present on each checkpoint area is a good example of a security barrier. The armed security guards present at the airport ensure the security and safety of the airport facility for the public.

Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is planning to deploy more “canine teams” (dog with handler) at checkpoints to sniff-out passengers for anything harmful and explosive materials. It also can help to detect suspicious packages, behaviours and people in efforts to mitigate the threat. Airports prefer that only police officers handle these K9s, to ensure that proper action can be taken immediately if a dog signals a potential issue.

This canine concept was first reported by USA Today where David Pekoske, head of Transportation Security Administration said that passengers nowadays can be “swept” by the dogs and are directed to clear security through the faster TSA PreCheck security lanes (Chris McGinnis, Tim Jue, 2018).

Access Control Systems (ACS)

Access control can enhance public security and safety inside airport terminals. It also helps to confirm the identity of travellers and airport staff. ACS allows airport security to track and control access to hundreds of doors. Biometrics technology, checking fingerprints, retinal scans, and facial patterns will improve aviation security. Also, it helps to further secure highly-sensitive areas in the terminal.

Today technology is revolutionising airports by creating a seamless experience for travellers. Having the ability to instantly verify that secure documents are valid and do match the identity and confirmed reservation of the traveller ensures that only vetted passengers arrive on the other side of that security line. Biometric security is more accurate at screening individuals and it also moves lines along faster (Jason Vansice, 2019).

Closed-circuit Television (CCTV)

Security checkpoints or surveillance cameras secure all-access gates and sensitive areas. There are numbers of CCTV cameras installed in every part of the facilities to detect any suspicious activity or behaviour. The CCTV helps to assist as a visual record that works to monitor document activities which can bring criminals to the subject of investigation. The CCTV is an effective security tool that can help security professionals monitor all areas perfectly and constant on the watch.

Security professionals and all employee level must be trained to be observant to identify suspicious activity whilst working. Besides that, documented CCTV able to check on busy times and complex airport. To adequately protect the areas, installing more lightings helps the camera records the activity and prevents the blind spot areas. Common areas to be installed with CCTV are screening area, entrances, ticket collection, check-in luggage, parking, and fuel aircraft or trucks, etc.

With cameras spread throughout the terminal, passengers and restricted areas can be continuously monitored, allowing security to detect unattended objects, resolve instances of theft, detect loitering and motion in sensitive zones and track the movements of suspicious people in the terminal using pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) cameras.

Inspection & Screening

All public access to an airport is channelled through the terminal, where every person must walk through a metal detector and all items must go through an X-ray machine. It will check you and your properties through the walk-through metal detectors and millimetre wave technology system. The screening alarm alerts will indicate that the passengers must face a pat-down by the same gender security officer. If that situation happens to you, you can request to go on with the check at a private room and allowed to be accompanied by someone.

TSA now regards explosives as the main threat for airline passenger to prevent aeroplane hijackings made since 9/11. (Bart Elias, 2011). Most common screening procedures is to remove electronic gadgets like phones, laptops or other electrical devices as well as jackets, belts, hats, shoes, watch and waters and so on. The security officers must not be biased and stereotyping people as criminal or terrorist based on race, birthplace or age, etc. (Wilson, 2018). The purpose of security screenings are as follows:

• Determine whether the passengers are permitted to fly even though they are subjected to extra screening
• Prevent unauthorized passengers on board the aircraft
• Inspect and identify suspected terrorist

Most major airports have a computed tomography (CT) scanner. If an object’s density falls within the range of dangerous material, the CT scanner warns the operator of a potentially hazardous object. CT scanners are not used to check every bag because it is slow compared to other types of baggage-scanning systems. Instead, only bags that the computer flags as “suspicious” are checked. These flags are triggered by any abnormality that shows up in the reservation or during the check-in process. With all of these detectors, scanners and sniffers used at airports it can prevent a gun or bomb to be brought on a plane.

Inside aeroplane checks

The aircraft must be constantly checked before and after the passengers boarding. If the aircraft is left unattended, terrorists can plant bombs and hijack the aircraft that become horrific flight journey. These are some ways of securing the aircraft:

• Block the window by using aeroplane covers and heat shields that provide easy visibility of the aeroplanes contents.
• Before and after the maintenance procedures, discuss transfers of controls to prevent aircraft open with keys.
• The ignition keys of aeroplanes must not be left inside the plane.
• Lock up securely on all doors and windows at the hangar or aeroplane housings with tie-downs, throttle and propellers.
• Use the keyed ignition whenever necessary.
• Look up all the doors on the aeroplane to prevent unauthorized access.

To mitigate incidents before they result in unnecessary delays, costly shutdowns, or threaten public safety, these environments require physical security systems that are capable of detecting events and reducing response times (David Lenot, 2015). Atalian Global Services ensure our clients and air travellers can have all the protection needed by airport facilities. We provide effective security solutions and skilful security officers for aviation security. Do contact us today for more information about our full range and tailor-made security services.