Airport security needs modern equipment, trained workforce

Airports all over the world ensure highest security measures as even a small breach can result in disastrous consequences. But certain recent incidents indicate just how inadequate security measures are in our airports.

Even after the bid to hijack a Biman Bangladesh airliner in February, there has been no improvement in the security. The probe body formed to investigate the incident said the hijacker had a toy gun and explosive substances in his possession. There is no explanation as to how the hijacker passed through the scanners undetected. We will never know whether anyone from the airport authorities aided and abetted him in this incident as he was killed in a commando operation.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) maintains that the security system of the domestic and international terminals of Hazrat Shah Jalal International Airport is very strong and reliable. They said additional law enforcers have been deployed at the airport. If this is true, how could actor Ilias Kanchan pass the security checks with a pistol remaining undetected in his bag?

The pistol was detected on second scanning. Contradictory statements are being issued on the incident. The airport authorities refute Ilias Kanchan’s claim that he himself handed over the pistol to the authorities. The actor, on his part, questioned the loopholes in the airport’s security. The authorities contend that the supervisor of the scanner had asked the actor about the gun and only then did he say that he was carrying it mistakenly.

Earlier, a man carrying a knife even killed a person in the departure lounge of the airport. A police official not long ago boarded a plane without any travel papers. These incidents point to the lax security system in the country’s airports. The International Civil Aviation Organisation evaluates and ranks airport security systems. Hazrat Shah Jalal International Airport is still placed in the second category of their ranking. No matter what the authorities may say, much of the equipment of the airport is outdated. These need to be modernised.

Secondly, those in charge of the equipment need proper training. There should also be strict surveillance to check whether the persons authorised to oversee of the airport security are carrying their duty properly. We have seen how any glitch or irregularity can lead to a dangerous situation.

There are also allegations that outsiders can avail security passes by simply spending a little money. Smugglers allegedly use such passes for their illegal activities. United Kingdom and Australia imposed sanctions on cargo flights for lack of security in the airport. A lot had to be done to finally have the ban lifted. We hope that the civil aviation authorities will step up security of all the airports of the country before it is too late.