During times of ongoing international business expansion and travelling, airlines and airports throughout the world have become important elements of the process of globalisation.
The above process has undoubtedly contributed to development, growing business, social and political opportunities as well as job creation. However, it has also generated new threats for both travellers and members of air/ground staffs, who find themselves having to pass through and operate in increasingly crowded airports.
Understanding the threat
In view of the latest, extremely vicious, terrorist attacks, which clearly show that terrorism has successfully globalised its efforts of destabilisation, it has become necessary for airport and aviation authorities to implement strict terrorism risk reduction measures.
The stepping up of security at airports has often caused much inconvenience, long queues and irritation among both passengers and staff. However, when understanding the various risk factors affecting airports, it becomes easier to appreciate the work and efforts on the part of the authorities in minimising the extremely serious threat of terrorism.
The following is a brief analysis of some of the most important risk factors affecting different areas within an airport facility.
* External parking and public areas
- Indiscriminate shooting and bombing of civilians and staff in public places.
- Vehicles loaded with explosives parked on the external or internal parking.
- Hostage taking.
* Airport administrative and airline offices
- Indiscriminate or targeted bombing of offices.
- Hostage taking.
Check in and passengers' concentration areas
- Explosive devices hidden inside passengers' baggage and introduced on board by a terrorist or a naïve passenger.
- Explosive devices placed in the immediate vicinity of the check in or passengers' concentration areas.
- Random shooting and throwing of explosive devices against passengers and staff.
- Hostage taking.
* Boarding areas
- Introduction of explosive devices inside an aircraft.
- Armed attacks from the runway side involving indiscriminate shootings.
* Baggage and cargo area
- Explosive devices placed along the route.
- Tampering with passengers' baggage or cargo with a view to introduce an explosive device on board.
* Tarmac
- Armed attacks from both air and ground.
- Explosive devices or weapons introduced on board by corrupted airport personnel or by arriving passengers.
- Acts of technical sabotage against an aircraft with a view to cause a disaster.
* Catering
- Explosive devices placed in food containers prepared for a specific airline.
- Food and beverages contaminated or poisoned.
* Aircraft landing or taking off
- Shooting at aircrafts.
- Surface to air missile launched against an aircraft, while landing or taking off, in order to cause maximum number of casualties.
The above is a serious threat that authorities must take into serious consideration in view of recent incidents indicating the likelihood of such an attack. Examples are:
* A British arms dealer was arrested in the United States over a suspected plot to shoot down a large passenger plane. The man in question attempted to sell a shoulder-fired missile to an undercover FBI agent posing as a terrorist.
* Police in Saudi Arabia uncovered a plot to shoot down a British aircraft at Riyad airport. This prompted British Airways to suspend all flights to Saudi Arabia.
* A passenger plane narrowly escaped a missile attack launched by terrorists in Mombasa (Kenya).
A leading organisation specialising in aviation security has conducted interesting research on anti-missile self-protection systems (for more information please contact the author).
Security is everyone's responsibility
Authorities should implement all necessary terrorism preventative measures even if this means having to cause some level of inconvenience to travellers. The latter should understand the seriousness of the threat, appreciate the efforts made by the authorities to reduce the risk factors and fully co-operate in the implementation of the said measures.
It is, however, important to remember that, an airport being a civilian and economic entity, the security programme should be formulated so as to serve all elements operating at the airport, without hindering their activity.
Travellers and members of staff should go a step further and act as the eyes and ears of the airport police and security. They should be vigilant, look out for anything suspicious (for example an unattended bag at an airport, or a group of people acting suspiciously) and immediately report the possible threat to the authorities. Many terrorist attacks have been foiled by the vigilance of ordinary people.
Travellers should also take sensible precautions, be aware of local sensibilities, monitor the media and check the relevant travel advice for the country they live in or plan to visit.
Conclusion
From the above discussion, it is clear that, in view of the significant increase in international terrorist activities, airports around the world are at serious risk of becoming a possible target.
While some airports, in certain countries, are at a higher risk of coming under attack, the unpredictability of terrorism makes it very difficult to identify the potential targets.
Moreover, it must be said that suicide missions involving terrorists prepared to die for their 'cause', further aggravates the issues.
Despite the considerable military and law enforcement successes against terrorist networks, the threat including the possible use of chemical and biological substances, is likely to remain for a long time.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Elio Zannoni is a criminologist and specialist in crime risk factors and prevention strategies. He can be contacted at International Threat Analysis, a specialist, international risk consultancy involved in the intelligence and analysis of crime threats and risks worldwide on 011 792 3739, fax: 011 791 6352, [email protected]
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