Airport security

Airport security includes the techniques and methods used in an attempt to protect passengers, staff, aircraft, and airport property from malicious harm, crime, terrorism, and other threats.
Aviation security is a combination of measures and human and material resources in order to safeguard civil aviation against acts of unlawful interference. Unlawful interference could be acts of terrorism, sabotage, threat to life and property, communication of false threat, bombing, etc.
Description
Large numbers of people pass through airports every day. This presents potential targets for terrorism and other forms of crime because of the number of people located in one place.[2] Similarly, the high concentration of people on large airliners increases the potentially high death rate with attacks on aircraft, and the ability to use a hijacked airplane as a lethal weapon may provide an alluring target for terrorism (such as during the September 11 attacks).[citation needed]

Airport security attempts to prevent any threats or potentially dangerous situations from arising or entering the country. If airport security does succeed then the chances of any dangerous situation, illegal items or threats entering into an aircraft, country or airport are greatly reduced. As such, airport security serves several purposes: to protect the airport and country from any threatening events, to reassure the traveling public that they are safe and to protect the country and their people.[citation needed]
Travellers are prohibited to pass the security checkpoint with liquids, including water, that are over 100 milliliters (3.4 U.S. fl oz). This is due to the risk of liquid explosives such as nitroglycerin which is colourless and indistinguishable from water. It is undetectable with the security X-ray and would pose great threat if brought on board.[3]
Monte R. Belger of the U.S.
Airport enforcement authority
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While some countries may have an agency that protects all of their airports (such as Australia, in which the Australian Federal Police polices the airport),[5] in other countries the protection is controlled at the state or local level. The primary personnel will vary and can include:
- A police force hired and dedicated to the airport e.g. the Irish Airport Police Service
- A branch (substation) of the local police department stationed at the airport
- Members of the local police department assigned to the airport as their normal patrol area
- Members of a country's airport protection service. E.g., US TSA
- Police dog services for explosive detection, drug detection and other purposes
Other resources may include:
- Security guards
- Paramilitary forces
- Military forces
Process and equipment
Some incidents have been the result of travelers carrying either
A recent development is the controversial use of
A single
While airport security measures are crucial for ensuring passenger safety, they inadvertently introduce hygiene challenges. A study at Helsinki-Vantaa airport during the 2015-2016 flu season pinpointed the plastic security screening trays, frequently used in security checks, as a significant vector for the spread of respiratory viruses. The study emphasizes the need for enhanced sanitation practices in these areas.[15] [16]
Generally people are screened through airport security into areas where the exit gates to the aircraft are located. These areas are often called "secure", "sterile" and
In the United States non-passengers were once allowed on the concourses to meet arriving friends or relatives at their gates, but this is now greatly restricted due to the September 11 terrorist attacks. Non-passengers must obtain a gate pass to enter the secure area of the airport. The most common reasons that a non-passenger may obtain a gate pass is to assist children and the elderly as well as for attending business meetings that take place in the secure area of the airport. In the United States, at least 24 hours notice is generally required for those planning to attend a business meeting inside the secure area of the airport.[citation needed] Other countries, such as Australia do not restrict non-travellers from accessing the airside area, however non-travellers are typically subject to the same security scans as travellers.[19]
Sensitive areas in airports, including airport ramps and operational spaces, are restricted from the general public. Called a SIDA (
Throughout the world, there have been a few dozen airports that have instituted a version of a "trusted traveler program". Proponents argue that security screening can be made more efficient by detecting those people who are threats and then searching them. They argue that searching trusted, verified individuals should not take the amount of time it does. Critics argue that such programs decrease security by providing an easier path to carry contraband through.[21][22]
Another critical security measure used by several regional and international airports is that of fiber optic
Notable incidents
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On May 30, 1972, three members of the
The world's first
The single deadliest airline catastrophe resulting from the failure of airport security to detect an onboard bomb was Air India Flight 182 in 1985, which killed 329 people.
Another onboard bomb that slipped through airport security was the one on
Another notable failure was the 1994 bombing of
The
The
On July 5, 2002, a gunman opened fire at Los Angeles International Airport (Israel's El Al Ticket Counter). The shooter killed two people and injured four.
On August 10, 2006, security at airports in the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States was raised significantly due to the uncovering by British authorities of a terror plot aimed at detonating liquid explosives on flights originating from these countries. This is also notable as it was the first time the U.S. Terror Alert Level ever reached "red". The incident also led to tighter restrictions on carrying liquids and gels in hand luggage in the EU, Canada, and the United States.[27][28]
On May 7, 2020,
Airport security forces by country/region
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Canada
All restrictions involving airport security are determined by Transport Canada and some are implemented by the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) in conjunction with the Airport Operator. Since the September 11 attacks, as well as the Air India bombing in 1985 and other incidents, airport security has tightened in Canada in order to prevent any attacks in Canadian Airspace.
CATSA uses x-ray machines to verify the contents of all carry-ons as well as metal detectors, explosive trace detection (ETD) equipment and random physical searches of passengers at the pre-board screening points. X-ray machines, CTX machines, high-resolution x-rays and ETDs are also used to scan checked bags. All checked baggage is always x-rayed at all major commercial airports.
CATSA launched its Restricted Area Identity Card (RAIC) program in January 2007. RAIC is the world's first dual biometric access control system for airports.[31] This program replaces the old Airport Restricted Area Passes issued to airport employees after security checks by the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and Transport Canada with new cards (issued after the same checks are conducted) that contain biometric information (fingerprints and iris scans) belonging to the person issued the RAIC.
While CATSA is responsible for pre-board passenger and random non-passenger screening, they contract out to third-party "service providers" such as G4S, Securitas and GardaWorld to train, manage and employ the screening officers. In addition, individual airport authorities which were privatized in the 1990s by the Canadian Government are responsible for general airport security rather than CATSA and normally contract out to private companies and in the case of large airports, pay for a small contingent of local police officers to remain on site as well.
Safety and security at Canada's airports are provided by local police forces. The RCMP once used to provide this service at most airports, but remains so only for a few today:
- Vancouver International Airport — RCMP Richmond detachment
- Calgary International Airport — Calgary Police Service Airport Unit (1997)
- Edmonton International Airport — RCMP Edmonton International Airport detachment
- Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport — Winnipeg Police Service (1997)
- Toronto Pearson International Airport — Peel Regional Police Airport Division (1997) with assistance from the RCMP Toronto Airport detachment
- Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier International Airport — Ottawa Police Service Airport Policing Section (1997)
- Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport — Airport Unit of the Montreal Police Service with assistance from the RCMP Airport Unit
- Halifax Stanfield International Airport — Halifax Regional Police
European Union

Regulation (EC) No 300/2008[32] of the European Parliament and of the Council establishes common rules in the European Union to protect civil aviation against acts of unlawful interference. The regulation's provisions apply to all airports or parts of airports located in an EU country that are not used exclusively for military purposes. The provisions also apply to all operators, including air carriers, providing services at the aforementioned airports. It also applies to all entities located inside or outside airport premises providing services to airports.[33] The standards of regulation 300/2008 are implemented by Commission Regulation (EU) 2015/1998.[34]
The regulation no 2320/2002 from 2002 introduced the requirement to have security checks for all passenger flights, also domestic. Some EU countries had no checks for domestic flights until around 2005 (introducing full security checks took some time since terminals might need expansion).
Finland
Passenger, luggage and freight security checking and security guard duties are outsourced to contractors. General public security is the responsibility of the
France
French security has been stepped up since terrorist attacks in
Iceland
As a member of the European Economic Area, Iceland has adopted EC regulation No 300/2008 into national law and thus complies with EU standards on airport security for all international flights. Domestic flights within Icelandic territory are however exempted from the security rules. The exemption was granted by the EEA Joint Committee citing the geographical remoteness of the country as well as its low population density and small size of aircraft used in domestic operations.[36]
Netherlands
Airport security in the Netherlands is provided by the
Spain
Airport security in Spain is provided by police forces, as well as private security guards. The Policía Nacional provides general security as well as passport (in international airports) and documentation checking. In Catalonia and Basque Country, the Mossos d'Esquadra and the Ertzaintza, respectively, have replaced the Policía Nacional except for documentation functions. The Guardia Civil handles the security and customs checking, often aided by private security guards. Local police provide security and traffic control outside the airport building.
Security measures are controlled by the state-owned company Aena, and are bound to European Commission Regulations, as in other European Union countries.
Sweden
Airport security is handled by security guards provided by the airport itself, with police assistance if needed. The Swedish Transport Agency decides the rules for the check, based on international and European regulations. Airports are generally defined by law as "vital installations", which give protection guards extra authority, like demanding identity documents and search people's belongings. Sweden has traditionally seen itself as a low-crime country with little need for security checks. Sweden introduced security checks for international departures when international regulations demanded that around the 1970s/1980s. In September 2001, there was a decision to introduce security checks also for domestic flights. This took a few years to implement as domestic airports and terminals were not prepared with room for this. At smaller airports fire fighters can also be security guards.
United Kingdom

The
Since the
From January 7, 2008, travellers are no longer limited to a single piece of carry-on luggage at most of the UK's major airports.[37] Currently, hand luggage is not limited by size or weight by the DfT/CAA, although most airlines do impose their own rules.
The UK trialed a controversial new method of screening passengers to further improve airport security using backscatter X-ray machines that provide a 360-degree view of a person, as well as "see" under clothes, right down to the skin and bones. They are no longer used and were replaced by millimeter wave scanners which shows any hidden items while not showing the body of the passenger.
Hong Kong

The
While the airport is under the control of the Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK), the security power has been delegated to the AVSECO staffs. All persons and baggages carried by them must be X-Rayed and checked at the security screening points of the AVSECO (with a few exceptions at the Tenant Restricted Area).
The
India
India stepped up its airport security after the 1999 Kandahar hijacking. The Central Industrial Security Force, a paramilitary organisation, is in charge of airport security under the regulatory framework of the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (Ministry of Civil Aviation). CISF formed an Airport Security Group to protect Indian airports. Every airport has now been given an APSU (Airport Security Unit), a trained unit to counter unlawful interference with civil aviation. Apart from the CISF, every domestic airline has a security group who looks after the aircraft security.
Terrorist threats and narcotics are the main threats in Indian airports. Another problem that some airports face is the proliferation of slums around the airport boundaries in places like Mumbai. Before boarding, additional searching of hand luggage is likely. Moreover, other than this, the CISF has many other duties in context of aviation security. The cargo security and screening is done by the Regulated Agents or airlines' and airports' own security staff who are tested and certified by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), an aviation security regulator.
Israel
El Al Airlines is headquartered in Israel. The last hijacking occurred on July 23, 1968,[38] and no plane departing Ben Gurion Airport, just outside Tel Aviv, has ever been hijacked.[39]
It was in 1972 that
On December 27, 1985, terrorists simultaneously attacked El Al ticket counters at the
As part of its focus on this so-called "human factor," Israeli security officers interrogate travelers using
Passengers leaving Israel are checked against a computerized list. The computers, maintained by the
Despite such tight security, an incident occurred on November 17, 2002, in which a man apparently slipped through airport security at Ben Gurion Airport with a
At a conference in May 2008, the United States Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff told Reuters interviewers that the United States will seek to adopt some of the Israeli security measures at domestic airports. He left his post in January 2009, a mere 6 months after this statement, which may or may not have been enough time to implement them.[46]
On a more limited focus, American airports have been turning to the Israeli government and Israeli-run firms to help upgrade security in the post-
Other U.S. airports to incorporate Israeli tactics and systems include
Pakistan
In
Singapore
Security for the country's two international passenger airports comes under the purview of the Airport Police Division of the
Since 8 May 2007, the liquid restrictions of 100 ml cap is enforced, following the 2006 transatlantic aircraft plot. Passengers are advised to check in liquids, gels and aerosols above 100 ml, failing which they will be confiscated by airport security and have to post it back to oneself. Anything that is in the security areas is allowed. In general practice, unacceptable materials are also confiscated and have to post it back to yourself (excluding nail clippers, nail files, umbrellas and racquets).
List of unacceptable items | Lifetime prohibited items (cabin/checked in) | Items that are only allowed in hand-carry luggage |
---|---|---|
|
|
|
United States




Prior to the 1970s, American airports had minimal security arrangements to prevent acts of terrorism. For some flights with unassigned seating, no reservations were required, and fares were collected in the air.[50] Federal security personnel started serving on high-risk flights in 1962 as the FAA Peace Officers Program; sky marshals began working out of the Miami field office of the United States Marshals Service in 1969. (Hijackers typically wanted to defect to Cuba, making flights from Florida common targets.[50]) There were insufficient numbers to protect every flight, and hijackings continued to take place. The first hijacking resulting in a fatality occurred on Eastern Air Lines Shuttle Flight 1320 in 1970.[50] Later in 1970, sky marshal staffing was increased, and some passengers fitting a behavioral profile were screened for weapons (including with handheld metal detectors).[50]
On November 10, 1972, a trio of hijackers threatened to fly
The September 11 attacks prompted even tougher regulations, such as limiting the number of and types of items passengers could carry[53] on board aircraft and requiring increased screening for passengers who fail to present a government-issued photo ID.

The Aviation and Transportation Security Act generally required that by November 19, 2002, all passenger screening must be conducted by federal employees. As a result, passenger and baggage screening is now provided by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Provisions to improve the technology for detecting explosives were included in the Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004. Often, security at category X airports, the U.S. largest and busiest as measured by volume of passenger traffic, is provided by private contractors.[54][55] Because of the high volume of passenger traffic, category X airports are considered vulnerable targets for terrorism.
Following the failed 2006
From 13 August 2006, airline passengers in the United States could take up to 3.4 US fl oz (101 ml) of non-prescription medicine, glucose gel for diabetics, solid lipstick, and baby food aboard flights. Eventually passengers were allowed to carry only 100 ml (3.5 imp fl oz; 3.4 US fl oz) of liquid in their hand luggage,[58] TSA standards required all non-medical liquids to be kept in a quart-sized plastic bag, with only one bag per passenger.[58]
With the increase in security screening, some airports saw long queues for security checks. To alleviate this, airports created Premium lines for passengers traveling in First or Business Class, or those who were elite members of a particular airline's Frequent Flyer program.
The "Screening Passengers by Observation Techniques" (SPOT) program is operating at some U.S. airports.[59][60][61]
In 2023 US DHS Science and Technology Directorate's screening-at-speed program announced that is transforming the current single line screening process into a self-screening flow similar to self-checkout at a US grocery store.[62][63][64]
Category X Airports in the United States
- Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport
- Boston Logan International Airport
- Charlotte/Douglas International Airport
- Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport
- Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport
- Denver International Airport
- Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport
- Fort Lauderdale International Airport
- George Bush Intercontinental Airport
- Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport
- Harry Reid International Airport
- Honolulu International Airport
- John F. Kennedy International Airport
- LaGuardia Airport
- Los Angeles International Airport
- Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport
- Miami International Airport
- Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport
- Newark Liberty International Airport
- O'Hare International Airport
- Orlando International Airport
- Orlando Sanford International Airport
- Philadelphia International Airport
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
- Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport
- Salt Lake City International Airport
- San Francisco International Airport
- Seattle–Tacoma International Airport
- Washington Dulles International Airport
See also
- Air travel with firearms and ammunition
- Airport police
- Airport privacy
- Infrastructure security
- Security theater
US specific:
- Computer Assisted Passenger Prescreening System
- Registered Traveler
- Airport racial profiling in the United States
- Secondary Security Screening Selection
- Secure Flight
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