An ever increasing number of people make use of airports on a daily basis. It is therefore inevitable that the level of security in the airports is much higher when compared to other areas and installations that do not experience as much traffic. As a result, a number of techniques have been devised to detect any potentially harmful objects and/or persons that may put the safety and security of the airport and its users as risk. It is especially the case given the rapid spread of the global terrorism phenomenon which has made air travel a primary target. It is because airports and air travel in general provides a high attack utility as compared to other installations and industries. However, despite the rationale for heightened airport security, not all agree with such stringent measures. To such persons, the tight airport security which mandates rigorous security screening is just an inconvenience. While this might be the case, it is necessary for airport authorities to strike a delicate balance between offering convenience and guaranteeing safety.
Modern airports act as transportation hubs across the globe. An example would be the London Heathrow Airport which handled 69, 816, 491 passengers in 2015 (Airports Council International). Such a high volume of traffic becomes a particular target for terrorists and other criminals. In its abstract form, terrorist acts seek to inflict the greatest damage to the greatest number of people in order to get their messages across the intended audience (Baker, 6). Therefore, such airports that attract huge human traffic create a suitable ground for a terrorist attack. Airports in their inherent nature act as conduits through which one is able to move from one point to another. As a result, a lapse in airport security may lead to an incident that occurs not just at the airport of origin, but also across other airports, the air space, and other installations. A case in point were the 9/11 attacks in 2001 that led to the loss of an estimated 2, 977 lives including the 265 people on board the four planes (CNN). It is therefore evident that a failure of airport authorities to properly profile and screen all passengers and users of airports could lead to disastrous outcomes.
Airport security should not be looked at solely in the context of terrorism. According to the Transport Security Administration (TSA), a huge number of reported security incidents are not linked to terrorism. Such incidents include drunken passengers intending to board planes which may pose a safety hazard to the rest of the passengers and cabin crew as well as cause unnecessary disturbances. As a result, the scope of potential hazards is ever on the rise which calls for even tighter airport security.
However, there are those that argue the extensive security checks act more to inconvenience airports users rather than keeping them secure. It is because the number of airport security incidents is far too low relative to the overall volume of traffic to warrant such stringent security measures. The inconvenience arises particularly out of the need to arrive way before the scheduled boarding time. The TSA recommends that those travelling arrive at least two hours before departure for domestic travel and three hours for international travel (Baker, 10). They argue that by undertaking such stringent measures, authorities and individuals are giving in to terrorist desires who would want to ensure that there is much disruption to normal schedules as possible. However, despite such security incidents representing only a tiny proportion of the entire airport traffic, it is clear that the number is on the rise despite the advancement in airport security techniques with a record 2, 500 breaches being reported in U.S airports between 2009 and 2015 (TSA). As the number of such incidents increases relative to overall traffic, the probability of a successful attack also rises. Furthermore, the number of airport security and air safety incidents illustrates that despite a good safety record, a single unexpected incident can have adverse direct and indirect effects (Baker, 8). It is exemplified by the gun attack on Ataturk International Airport in 2016 that left at least 41 people dead (BBC).
The rationale for heightened airport security is not only academic but also a reality that all individuals should embrace. In October 2015, a Russian passenger plane was brought down by an explosive onboard the plane over the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt (CNN). The incident was immediately proclaimed a terror attack by both Egyptian and Russian authorities. A group affiliated with the international terrorism group Islamic State of Iraq and the Levante (ISIL) claimed responsibility for the attack which left all the 224 people on board dead. While such an attack is not unexpected, it is the means used to sneak the explosive into the plane that brings to fore the need for stringent airport security. Following the attack, the ISIL affiliate claimed that it had used a homemade bomb that had been customized to fit into a soda can. Such innovative means would ordinarily pose a challenge to airport authorities in terms of detection. As a result, it calls for further screening and improvement of security technologies in order to deal with the ever increasingly sophisticated and innovative security threats to airports and air safety in general. It is therefore evident that had there been heightened airport screening and the lack of complacency by Egyptian airport security officials, the lives of the 224 persons would not have been lost.
David Neeleman an American airline entrepreneur of Brazilian descent who is credited for founding a number of airlines including WestJet and JetBlue Airways has been one of the proponents of improved airport security (Souccar). He has been quoted saying, “I believe the public's confidence would be increased if the federal government took over the functions of airport security screening for all passengers.” (Souccar) Bruce Schneier, a renowned cyber security expert and scholar on the same has also called for an increase in the level of attention accorded to airport security. He is particularly interested in improving the TSA’s ability to rely on human intelligence and improved human designs in order to address airport security. It is therefore evident that the issue has attracted the attention of renowned persons in the industry which is an illustration of the need to further expand airport security. However, some other organizations such as the council of foreign relations have called into question the effectiveness of improved airport security which goes to show that the issue is one that is bound to attract a heated debate (Bajoria).
In conclusion, it is evident that the issue of airport security is an emotive one. There are those that feel that heightened airport security is a necessary evil if public and air safety is to be maintained. It is especially the case given the ever increasing number of airport and plane attacks. On the other hand, there are those that feel that such security measures are overly intrusive and inconveniencing and to an extent represent a fulfillment of the desires of the terrorists and other criminals that might harbor the intent of causing harm. However, it is important that the issue be placed in context given the increasing reality that airports provide a premium attack utility. As such, it is important for people to adapt to living in a more insecure world which means that there are a number of conveniences that have to be waved. It ultimately calls for airport authorities to strike a delicate balance between offering convenience and guaranteeing safety.
Works Cited
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Baker, David. Tourism and Terrorism: Terrorists Threats to Commercial Aviation Safety &
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BBC. Istanbul Ataturk airport attack: 41 dead and more than 230 hurt. Bbc.com [June, 29 2016]
Retrieved July 26, 2016 from http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-36658187
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Transport Security Administration. Security Screening. Tsa.gov [2016] Retrieved July 26, 2016
