Media Reports: Terrorist Threat from Airport Queues
A new perceived airport terrorist threat has received widespread media coverage today, but one perhaps fuelled more by speculation than anything else. In light of the additional security checks being carried out across UK airports, the resultant queues, claim MPs, could be an attractive proposition for terrorists.
The significance of this, in one sense, merits its coverage in Airport International's News section. However, a much wider airport security issue is at large here, which, in general, the media has focused on very short-sightedly. Airport International has, for some time, held a belief that airports present an ideal opportunity for terrorists to carry out their actions before any security checks have been made at all. The Managing Director of Copybook Solutions (+), Andy Fields, has himself, for many years, harboured a serious concern about the level of security at UK airports.
Fear of highlighting issues that, naturally, could generate a degree of concern amongst our readership has, until now, restrained us from committing our beliefs to print. However, now that the media has merely scraped the surface, an opportunity exists for us to develop the situation - providing a platform on which we can now elaborate further.
A report was published by the Commons Transport Select Committee on the 26th July 2007. In this, the government body detailed how airports should work towards reducing queues and facilitating check-in procedures for passengers in order to minimise the threat posed to airport security by terrorism. It highlighted the Glasgow Airport attack as a prime example of the risk posed to passengers, given that they were queuing inside at the time of the incident. As covered significantly in Airport International, the attack involved a Jeep Cherokee, which was set ablaze and then driven into the airport's main terminal.
A day prior to this, two separate car bombs were discovered in London. The resultant enquiry into all three events found a link between the suspects arrested, in that they all worked within the medical sector.
However, airport security across the UK has been in a heightened state since August last year. Then, a plot involving the deployment of liquid explosives was uncovered, resulting in hand luggage restrictions coming into immediate force. Passengers are still, under these terms, restricted to a single piece of hand luggage, as well as in-depth screening procedures.
Views were provided to the committee by a number of prominent security experts, which were included within the report. One of these was the principal of the International School for Security and Explosives Education, Professor Alan Hatcher. He highlighted the dangers of luggage not being searched at airport entrances, relating this to the targets presented to terrorists by people queuing inside.
The professor's comment here is one with which Airport International strongly agrees. The view held across Airport International's team of journalists and other media contacts is that certain branches of the media are, on this occasion, highlighting a situation which has, at present, no real foundation. An incident has not taken place to warrant this level of coverage and their treatment of the report is tantamount to scaremongery.
However, given the media's adoption of the notion that the security checks themselves present a terrorist threat, now seems the ideal time for Airport International to cover the wider picture.
While the attempted terrorist attacks on Glasgow Airport and in the heart of London's metropolis are still fresh in the minds of many, it should be remembered that the hand luggage stipulation was introduced in August 2006 - nearly a year prior to the recent wave of terrorist activity. Airport queues, increasing waiting times and other effects on passengers have been taking place for many months, and to now highlight them seems somewhat unnecessary. An overriding factor is that the UK's airports have been subject to increased security ever since the Twin Towers attacks on September 11th, 2001.
But, even before then, terrorists have had a massively opportunistic path to destruction laid out before them. Entrances to airports are currently not subject to screening procedures. A potential terrorist, therefore, could freely walk into any one hub within the UK's airport network, and cause unimaginable devastation; his progress unhindered and unmonitored.
The evolution of terrorism is, without doubt, a modern day threat, and the world in 2007 is a dangerous place in which to live. As Prime Minister Gordon Brown recently detailed, we all need to remain vigilant and aware. However, the media, on this occasion, seem to be spinning a wheel without merit or cause. More importantly, the larger scene has been predominantly left out, leaving it to us to present the bigger picture.
Airport International strives to separate itself from the majority of publications, in providing the most up to date, relevant and informative news at all times - based on clear, verifiable and demonstrable facts.
+ Note to editors. Copybook Solutions is the company behind the publication of Airport International, as well as 12 other titles. For further information, please visit www.copybook.com
Source - Airport International's Chief Journalist
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