A security alert was recently ignited at Edinburgh Airport when a man bypassed security facilities in an attempt to make his flight on time. The businessman travelled from Edinburgh Airport’s long-term car park to reach the active, and public-prohibited ‘live’ area of the hub. By now in close proximity to the runway, he remained there for a few minutes before the intervention of staff ensured his removal. Local police were quick to arrive on the scene, arresting him on the grounds of breaching the peace, however subsequently then letting him go uncharged.

Commenting on these events, airport operator BAA confirmed that security measures in place at Edinburgh were to their satisfaction. However, in the eyes of at least one industry analyst, the situation has exposed the Scottish airport’s security arrangements as weak.

The incident took place on July 16th 2007, but details have only now made their way into the public domain. The businessman involved remains anonymous, but we know that his car had been parked close to the Hilton Hotel. Leaving his vehicle, the man walked towards the fence surrounding the airfield, then managed to squeeze through a metal barrier.

Commenting on the security breach, one employee at the airport described it as “absolutely shocking”. He continued: “The fact that it happened so soon after the events in Glasgow is just embarrassing and shows a serious lack of professionalism by the security staff. We saw the guy just wandering through past the planes and no-one was stopping him. It was a restricted area and he was strolling through with his bag. Anything could have happened. His bag hadn’t been checked so it could potentially have had anything in it. It was only when he was approached by the cleaning staff outside that he actually stopped.”

By way of contrast, the message from BAA was that the rapidity, with which the man was removed from the airfield, only served to reinforce the strength of Edinburgh Airport’s security.

However, according to one expert within the security industry, a tightening of procedures at the Scottish hub was now unquestionably needed. Professor Paul Wilkinson added to this: “It should not be possible to just squeeze through a security barrier. It’s something that needs to be looked at. It’s creditable that staff noticed him, but this shows the perimeter barrier is not fully suitable for the job.”

He concluded: “Most of the people are doing a very difficult job with tremendous efficiency. This does show that they need to keep up a high standard of security awareness, and cannot afford to be distracted. Scottish airports have improved their security very effectively, but that doesn’t mean it’s perfect. It’s always difficult to protect terminals.”

Professor Wilkinson works at the St Andrew’s University based Centre for Terrorism and Political Violence.

Security in general is a prime concern across the UK’s airport network at present, particularly in light of the recent attempted terrorist attack on Glasgow Airport.

Source – Airport International’s Regional Correspondent

Recent related News Items:

Uk Airport Security Attacked by Air Transport Authority

Media Reports: Terrorist Threat from Airport Queues

Glasgow Airport Reopens After Terrorist Attack

UK Terror Attacks Continue as Glasgow Airport Targeted