... is a tragedy that once again highlights the vulnerability of such public places as airports. Perhaps the greatest surprise in the U.S. has been the largely silent response by the Transportation Security Administration, which may be a good thing. A search of TSA’s website finds no mention of the Russia incident.
Our own Art Kosatka, who writes a monthly security column at www.airportbusiness.com, was quoted in Tuesday’s Wall Street Journal, pointing out that “the public area [of an airport] is no different from a shopping mall or a school.†In other words, airports are not the only facilities that are vulnerable.
Rep. John Mica (R-FL), chairman of the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, issued the following statement regarding the Moscow attack: “Once again, the attack in a Moscow airport arrivals area demonstrates that terrorists will continue to target aviation with their destructive, disruptive tactics. The United States and every civilized nation must work together to employ every possible means to intercept, deter, and prevent these murderous acts. This is another wake-up call. Now, in addition to the shoe bomber, the liquid explosive plot, the underwear bomber, and the attempted cargo aircraft attack, it is clearer than ever that terrorists will use any and all means to destroy life and disrupt the aviation industry, whether in Russia, the United States, or any other nation's airspace. We must not let our guard down.â€
Christopher Bidwell, vice president for security for Airports Council International-North America, in the International Herald Tribune points out that travelers in the United States will quickly see an increase in random security checks above and beyond the baseline measures currently in place, including checks in public areas like baggage claim and ticketing. And, as the same article points out, adding physical security to public spaces is as much an engineering issue as a procedural one.
I contacted both ACI-NA and AAAE for their responses and/or guidance for airports regarding the Moscow bombing. AAAE had not yet released an official response. ACI-NA offered the following: “ACI-NA and our member airports are working closely with TSA to obtain information about this deplorable terrorist act. We are committed to ensuring that our multi-layered security program is effective in ensuring the security of our passengers and employees.â€
Meanwhile, ACI World today issued a statement: “The present aviation security regime in Europe and in other parts of the world has mainly developed in a reactive way, adding new security measures at airports in response to new threats uncovered overtime. These measures are mainly focused on systematic and largely predictable detection at airports, through burdensome screening processes and equipment.
“ACI EUROPE and ACI WORLD consider that this latest terrorist attack once again demonstrates the limitations of the current regime, as aviation continues to face an ever-evolving and dynamic terrorist threat. It is also a stark reminder of the fact that an airport can only be one of the last opportunities to prevent a terrorist act. ACI EUROPE and ACI WORLD are therefore calling on governments … to start working without delay on a more effective and sustainable aviation security regime, which would not only focus on detection and proven technology, but also on deterrence and unpredictability as well as more effective use of intelligence.â€
Limitations, indeed.
Thanks for reading. jfi