Airport Safety And Security News
IATA 2011: Five-second airport security scanner unveiled
IATA is pushing for faster security checks at airports by unveiling a new automatic scanner system that aims to reduce queues and intrusive manual checks by airport security staff. The system aims to reduce security check from around 10 minutes to as little as five seconds. A version is expected to be trialled within 18 months and could be rolled out at major airports within five years.
Heathrow explores geothermal heating to prevent runways freezing
Heathrow Airport is looking at using geothermal heating to combat its runways from freezing in winter. The British Airports Authority said the underground heating technology could prevent a repeat of last December, when the airport had to be closed for five days and 4,000 flights cancelled due to ice on the runways.
Full-body scanners pose ‘negligible’ risk
Airline passengers face more risk from cosmic rays during a flight than from airport scanners according to the latest scientific research. In total newly developed full-body scanners account for less than one per cent of the radiation passengers are exposed to during a flight.
Baywatch babe ‘outraged’ over full body scan
Former Baywatch actress Donna D’Errico has accused airport security for singling her out for a full body scan because of her looks. The former Playboy Playmate, says she was humiliated and “outraged” by a security guard at Los Angeles Airport who “smirked” after she was ordered to undergo the search.
BA set for summer strike chaos
British Airways passengers face a summer of travel chaos after the union representing cabin crew announced plans for a fresh strike ballot. The UK flag carrier was forced to cancel more than 200 flights from its Heathrow base over the long weekend due to second five-day walk out.
EU liquids ban in place until 2013
The European Union has confirmed restrictions preventing passengers from carrying liquids onto aircraft will be in place until 2013. After this time all European airports must be equipped with scanners able to monitor liquids carried by passengers, reducing the risk to aircraft.
Children must undergo body scans
Children will have to go through full body scanners at UK airports under new proposals unveiled by the government, despite protests from civil liberty groups that the resulting images would breach child pornography laws.
Full body scans become compulsory at Heathrow and Manchester
Passengers using Heathrow and Manchester airports will not be allowed to board their flights if they refuse to undergo a full-body scan. But in a bid to allay privacy fears, the Transport Secretary Lord Adonis promised that the images are deleted “immediately”.
Full body scanners have been in successful operation in Domodedovo for 3 years
International community is concerned with aviation security at the moment. In particular special attention is paid to security measures at airports during passenger screening.
Brown steps up fight against terror
The government has announced a wide-ranging list of measures to enhance airline security in the UK including the drawing up of a ‘no fly’ list of potential terrorists. The Home Office’s watch list of suspects would form the basis of two lists – a no fly list of those people not allowed to fly to the UK. And a larger list identifying those who should be subjected to special measures, including enhanced screening, before being able to board a plane to Britain.
Full body scanners at Heathrow
Full body scanners will be introduced at Heathrow Airport by the end of this month. The government will also introduce more frequent searches, behavioural analysis and more sniffer dogs.
New iPhone App, “SURVEY ON THE SPOT,” Enables Travelers to Take Survey Rating Security Screening
On The Spot Systems, Inc., announced today that their iPhone application, SURVEY ON THE SPOT, is now available to air travelers to rate airport security screening by completing a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) survey. SURVEY ON THE SPOT uses the iPhone’s GPS to identify the user’s location and enables smartphone users to answer a TSA questionnaire quickly and easily immediately after passing through the security checkpoint.