Aviation Security and Its Impact on Airports - Case Study Example

Aviation Security and its Impact on Airports Civil aviation has a direct influence on economic growth of a nation, and it integrates world economy and promotes international exchange of people, and their services. Due to its prominence, now a day it is becoming an easy target for terrorists. So, aviation security gets high priority for air travelers. Security is needed to prevent criminal activities such as hijacking, damaging or destroying aircraft and nearby areas with bombs, assaulting passengers and aviation employees on aircraft and in airports. Moreover increasing demand for travel puts pressure on security system. Governments are investing billions of dollars every year to ensure safe travelling for air passengers. On the other hand, higher security measures resulted in higher costs for airlines as well as for passengers which burden more on them at a time when soaring fuel bills are already driving up prices. At the same time it impacts badly on civil liberties. Introduction Civil aviation is becoming an integral part of national economy, and is a key catalyst for economic growth and has a profound influence on the quality of life around the globe. Civil aviation integrates the world economy and promotes the international exchange of people, ideas, products, and investments. Airlines are characterized as national symbols. As long as people are flying, there will be a need for aviation security. Secure air transportation is an essential as well as an important issue both domestically as well as internationally. In earlier days aviation security was only a minor concern. But, today aviation security is high on the list of priorities of air travelers for federal government as well as for the international air community. Billions of dollars have been invested every year by nations to ensure safe and secure civil aviation system which is a critical component of the nation’s overall security, physical infrastructure, and economic foundation. Safety is top most importance factor in aviation, especially in commercial sector (J Rumerman, 2010). Airline disasters generally receive media attention disproportionate to the death toll and become breaking news of the day. Moreover, casualties are always in larger proportion in the event of disaster as an airplane provides hundreds of people at the height of nearly 30,000 feet with no chance of survival. So airlines will always be an attractive target for terrorists making aviation security a top priority. Generally people in large numbers pass through airports, and this presents potential targets for terrorism and other forms of crime. Presence of large number of people in a small area makes airport more vulnerable to terrorism activities. Similarly, the high concentration of people on large airliners, the potential high death rate with attacks on aircraft may provide an alluring target for terrorism. Adding, technical malfunction, equipment failure, and even human error can leads to aviation disaster. Security is needed to prevent criminal activities such as hijacking, damaging or destroying aircraft and nearby areas with bombs, assaulting passengers and aviation employees on aircraft and in airports. Airport security serves several purposes including protection of airport, and aircraft from attacks and crime. It also ensures safe travelling for passengers. History behind terrorists attack Way back to history, in October 6, 1976, terrorists attacked a Cubana flight which was flying from Barbados to Jamaica, and killed 73 people on board. It was recorded as the worlds first terrorist attack intending indiscriminately to kill civilians. On the other hand, the single deadliest airline disaster which occurred due to failure of airport security to detect an on board bomb was Air India Flight-182 in 1985, which killed 329 people. September 11, 2001 was the black day in the history of United States of America. On that morning, terrorists hijacked four commercial passenger jet airliners, and intentionally crashed two of them into the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, killing everyone on board and many others working in the buildings. Within two hours, both the buildings were collapsed. At the same time nearby buildings were also damaged. The hijackers crashed a third airliner into the Pentagon, situated just outside Washington, D.C. The fourth and the last plane crashed into a field in rural Pennsylvania. Nearly 3,000 victims along with 19 hijackers died in the attacks, and no one survived. This unprecedented attack alerted security personnel and prompted to take an immediate and drastic security measures in airline transportation. Security has emerged as a driver following the attacks and a number of system changes have since been carried out (J Rumerman, 2010). After this incident aviation security moved up the political agenda. Prior to this disaster each member state had its own rules on air safety. The European Union adopted its first common rules in 2002. This common rule allows the classification of weapons and other items prohibited on board planes or in airports, passenger and luggage screening, staff screening and training, control of cargo and mail, and access to sensitive areas of airports and aircrafts. In September 2005, an amendment was passed to the 2002 rules which allow implementing more stringent measures in airports, and in aircrafts to ensure passenger safety. New rule also suggested introducing in-flight security measures such as access to cockpits, unruly passengers and so-called ‘sky marshals’. Further the rule which framed on November 2006 limits the amount of liquid that can be taken on flights. Tighter security measures in airports and planes were adopted to fend off terrorist threats (EurActiv. Com, 2008). Aviation security threat sources, tactics, and targets. Hijackings Bombings Shootings Smuggling Cargo Crimes Threat Sources Tactics Targets Source: Bart Elias. (2009). Congressional Research Service. Challenges before air transportation In the late 1960s, attacks on commercial aviation increased, and to thwart these attacks, number of security measures were established which includes bomb detection and passenger screening. As a result the worldwide foil rate of terrorist hijackings has been decreased. Prior to September 11 attacks, the response to an aircraft hijacking was to negotiate with the hijackers. But, now evidently this strategy is no longer feasible and that new measures must be adopted ( Turney, et al., 2004). In the perimeters of the nations airports terrorists could strike their targets using surface-to-air missiles. Terrorists attempt in Kenya which failed due to a faulty weapon is a clear example for the possible threat. There was a report that since few years, terrorists have changed their mode of operation from high-grade commercial explosives toward improvised, homemade explosives that can be made from off-the-shelf products. Usages of liquid explosives are another way of their mode of operation. As liquid explosives are easy to produce, terrorists can use the chemicals for attacks. It may need new detection systems at airport security checkpoints to track down these dangerous substances (Science Daily, 2006). The USA as well as other air transportation system is currently facing a number of challenges. Increasing demand for travel and growing environmental requirements put pressure on security system. To meet future challenges, the system needs to be transition from its current state using a combination of technology, infrastructure, procedure, and policy changes. But, implementations of these changes are not so easy because of complexities of the air transportation system. Especially the multi stakeholder nature of the system poses a significant barrier to these transitions. According to sources aviation security cost for USA was increased to $1.5 billion in 2002 from $400 million in 2001 which was a direct impact of September 11 attacks. For fiscal year 2003, cost increased to $4.8 billion which saw a 210% increase over the previous years budget ( Turney, et al., 2004). Officials have taken several steps to enhance security measures in airports, and in airlines to avert possible threats. Deploying air marshals aboard aircraft is an important step towards enhancing security. Recent incidence of security guards on Israels national airline overpowered a man who tried to hijack a flight from Tel Aviv to Istanbul highlights the importance of their presence. Co-ordination with local intelligence is also another major step towards gathering information about criminal activities. Local intelligence inputs play important role in security measures. They provide valuable information about local criminal activities, and movement of anti social elements which could be a valuable hint in the way of security measures. With the lack of specificity involved with the national level intelligence, the best information is often local. Most of the airports, especially those situated near large population centers, have access to local law enforcement intelligence groups. Because in most of times criminals preferred air travel due to its convenience and speed of travel (Robert R. Raffel, 2008). Along with x-ray scanning, metal detection, sniffer dogs are also used to detect explosives in luggage. In addition trace detection equipment is also helpful. These measures could prevent terrorists from entering the airline with explosives. One more important thing in the implementation of security measure is barricading cockpit doors and retrofitting bulkheads. Generally this measure has been accomplished by most of airlines. A background check of service personnel, use of positive identification scanners for employees is also an important security measure. Currently biometric technology is available to provide such scanners. Information gathered through security checks could be stored on an embedded chip on a smart card. Implementation of biometric system is another aspect of technology development. The person that checked in is the same person that boards the aircraft could be ensured by the implementation of fingerprint system. Face recognition technology is also one more consideration for security measure. Many airlines take additional measures to address working environment and work volume which helps to improve worker performance. Along with these factors, technical assistance, and personnel licensing, improved communication skills could all contribute to the quality of security services. Due to implementation of all these security measures, aviation transport system is becoming more and more secure, and shows a positive sign of growth. To face new challenges, and newer type of threats, upgrading the technology is very important and is an ongoing process. The next generation technologies which would be implementing for security measures could be faster, cheaper, smaller, lighter, and will be able to detect a greater array of threats. At the same time they will be more user-friendly and have less impact on civil liberties. They are also will be more adaptable to the airports in which they will be placed. Impacts Increased threat of terrorism has led to the introduction of several new security measures ranging from increased restrictions on the carriage of liquids, aerosols and gels to the introduction of full body scanners. Higher security measures resulted in higher costs for passengers which burdens more on them at a time when soaring fuel bills are already driving up prices. Most airlines have already incurring high costs because of ever-increasing security measures they have to comply with. Transport security costs vary widely across member states, which in turn can lead to distortions in competition between airports and air carriers in different countries (EurActiv. Com., 2008). Multiple searches of passengers and carry-on bags in the name of security check, causing delays both at checkpoints and at passenger loading points. Electronic scanning of all luggages would be responsible for the delays that are currently impacting the efficiency of air travel. Entrusted with the responsibility of detecting potentially threatening materials, today’s airport security staff must complete a rigorous course of training ranging from general security awareness training to computer based training, and X-ray machine simulation. Because of all these security measures, civil liberties would be impacted badly. Stringent security measures are a time consuming job and leads to delay in the movement of air traffic which impacts on the efficiency of air travel as well as on air cargo shipments. The economic impact of these costly measures, and airport delays caused by security measures have resulted in significant revenue loss for air carriers (Turney, et al., 2004). Generally the responsibility for aviation security is divided between the airlines and the airports. Airports ensure that only authorized persons have access to the airfield. On the other hand, airlines are responsible for screening of passengers and their luggage. Luggage is scanned using X-ray machines, and passengers walk through metal detectors which were designed to prevent smuggling of guns, and other explosives aboard aircraft.    Usually they contract with private security companies to operate the x-rays and other security devices. The Federal Aviation Administration regulates the activities of the airlines, airports, and security companies. But, many a times due to a high turnover rate, performance level of screeners would decline which results in lapse in security. Especially in large airports this is a common factor. Limited benefits, low wages, monotonous, and repetitive working nature may be other reasons for the lapse. Even though new technologies have the potential to enhance the aviation security system, human elements could not be ignored. Human error is inevitable, even in the best of circumstances. The repetitive nature of security work could be lead to human error. Human errors may result in faulty judgment, communication, decisions, or in perception ( Turney, et al., 2004). The design of the equipment may contribute to inaccuracies if they are not engineered with the human operator in mind. Moreover, implementation of new technologies may enhance the incidence of security-related errors. At the same time work related stress, distraction, loss of concentration, fatigue, working environment may also affect adversely on the quality of security services. Conclusion Higher security is the need of the hour, especially in the growing trend of terrorism in many parts of the world. Due to increasing security measures civil aviation is becoming more secure and is attracting passengers in large number. People prefer air travel because of its comfortability, security and time saving module. At the same time air transportation system is facing challenges from increasing demand for travel, and terrorists are using new way for attacks. Detection of liquid explosives at Londons Heathrow airport in August, 2006 is a clear example for this. To cater to the growing challenges officials are implementing stringent security measures. To face new challenges and newer type of threats, experts are upgrading the technology and making it more user-friendly and have less impact on civil liberties. All though, higher security measures are resulting in higher costs for airlines as well as on passengers, makes air transportation more secure, and attractive. References AcaDemon. (2010). Aviation Safety. Retrieved from http://www.academon.com/Term-Paper-Aviation-Safety/108794 Arizona State University. (2006). New Analytical Tool Developed For Liquid Explosives Detection. Science Daily. Retrieved November 24, 2010, from http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/10/061013104609.htm Bart Elias. (2009). Congressional Research Service. CRS Report for Congress. Retrieved February 2, 2009 from http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/homesec/RL34302.pdf . EurActiv. Com. (2008). Aviation security. Retrieved 05, September 2008 from http://www.euractiv.com/en/transport/aviation-security/article-175114 Robert R. Raffel. (2008). Intelligence and Airport Security. Intelligence in Homeland Security. Retrieved June 26, 2008 from https://www.cia.gov/library/center-for-the-study-of-intelligence/csi-publications/csi-studies/studies/vol50no3/airport_security_5.htm Rumerman J., U.S. (2010). Centennial of Flight Commission: Aviation Security. Retrieved from http://www.centennialofflight.gov/essay/Government_Role/security/POL18.htm Turney, Mary Ann, Bishop, James C, Fitzgerald, & Patricia C. (2004). Measuring the Importance of Recent Airport Security Interventions. bBNET, Journal of Air Transportation. Retrieved from http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa5467/is_200401/ai_n21358046 Read More