Lecture 5: AIRPORT SECURITY

By: Zuliana Ismail

Learning Outcome

• Student is able to:• Describe who are responsible to handle security in

airport.• Explains the steps in airport security• Describe the latest technologies used for

enhancing airport securities

Airport Security

• The most significant issues facing by the airport in the 21st century is airport security.

• Airport security refers to the techniques and methods used in protecting airports and aircraft from crime.

• Airport security concerns all areas and all users of the airport, not limited to travelers, airport police force etc.

• Many parties are involved in securing the airport, including the airport administration, the government, airlines, police and military force.

Who handles security at Airports

While some countries may have uniform protection at all of their airports. The primary personnel will vary and can include :

• A police force hired and dedicated to the airport• Members of the local police department assigned to

the airport • Members of a country's military• Members of a country's airport protection service

• In U.S, Transportation Security Administration (TSA)

Who handles security at Airports

• Police forces hired and dedicated to the airport.

• For Example, at Malaysia Airport Securities are handled by: Malaysia Airports Berhad Auxiliary Police. They are trained at Malaysia Airport Training Centre (MATC), Penang.

Malaysia Airports Berhad Auxiliary Police

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA)

• TSA was created as a result of the events of 11/9/2001.

• Purpose of TSA is to improve the security in transportation systems.

• TSA also responsible in improving security at the nation’s airports.

Example: Screening all commercial airline passengers and baggage.

Airport Security

• Airport security procedures are designed to prevent any criminal acts that may affect the security both at airport on in flight.

• Criminal acts including theft, vandalism against passengers and their property, aircraft and all airport facilities.

• The worst is hijacking of aircraft, damaging or destroying aircraft or airport with explosives

Airport Security

• 1st major act of criminal act occurred on Nov, 1 1955, when man named Jack Graham placed a bomb in luggage belonging to his mother. The bomb exploded in flight, killing all 33 people,

• 2nd such act occurred in 1960, when a suicide bomber killed all aboard a National Airlines aircraft.

Airport security procedures

1. Passenger Screening

2. Baggage Screening

3. Larger X-Ray Scanner

Passenger Screening

• Purpose: to ensure that certain prohibited items don’t board commercial airliners.

• Every passenger thus is screened by airport security staff using the latest screening techniques to prevent any terrorist or criminal activity.

• Every piece of luggage is screened for explosives using the latest technology and equipment before being placed on a plane

Prohibited items

There are a number of items that you cannot carry on a plane, and some of that can't be packed in your bags, example :

• Explosives: Fireworks, matches, gunpowder• Weapons: Guns, swords, martial arts weapons, knives

with blades of any length• Pressurized containers: Hair spray, oxygen tanks• Household items: Flammable liquids, solvents, bleach• Poisons: Insecticides, pesticides, rat poison• Corrosives: Car batteries

Passenger Screening

• Confirming the identity of travelers. • Checking a photo ID & transports.• Some Airports using Biometrics (finger

print/retinal scan)

Passenger Screening

Walk-through metal detector• Objects on your clothing or person containing metal may set

off the alarm on the metal detector.

Additional screening• Additional screening occurs when an individual sets off the

alarm on the metal detector, or if he or she is selected for the additional screening.

• This screening includes a hand-wand inspection

Passenger Screening-

Metal objects will be detected and produce

alarm sound.

baggage Screening

The X-ray machine • Place all carry-on baggage and any items you are carrying

with you on the belt of the X-ray machine.• Laptop computers and video cameras with cassettes must be

removed from their carrying cases and placed in one of the bins provided.

• You will also need to remove your coat, jacket, suit jacket or blazer and place it in one of the bins.

• These items go through the X-ray machine.

baggage Screening

X-Ray technology: “see through” the baggage

Technologies to Screen Luggage

baggage Screening

Your baggage might also be inspected with an Explosive Trace Detection machine (ETD), Alarm will be

sounded if a weapon or explosive item is detected.

Larger X-Ray Scanner

• In addition to passenger baggage, most planes carry enormous amounts of cargo.

• All of this cargo has to be checked before it is loaded. • One old-fashioned method of bomb detection still

works as well or better than most hi-tech systems -- the use of trained dogs.

• In addition to an X-ray system, many airports also use larger scanners

Larger X-Ray Scanner

Larger X-Ray Scanner for bigger baggage and trained Dogs are used to sniff for bombs.

Issues

The increased security has meant longer waits and longer lines and longer waits at

the gate screening counters and area.

How to reduce longer waits problems for airport security procedures?

Question Bank

• Who are responsible to handle security in airport & give reason why airport security important. (6M)

• Describe the steps in airport security. (9M)