The Hindu : Front Page : Tight security at European airports

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jul 09, 2007
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Tight security at European airports

Vinay Kumar

Following last week’s botched car bombings at Glasgow airport

A line of caution on plastic trays
Security personnel scanning all personal items

FRANKFURT: Even as investigators are busy unravelling deeper and complex links behind last week’s botched up car bombings at the Glasgow airport, all major airports in Europe have stepped up security at all levels.

Elaborate passenger security checks and high security alert at all terminals have been put in force and security personnel at airports such as Frankfurt and Munich in Germany where passenger traffic volumes are high are trying their best to cope.

Visiting Indian journalists witnessed security personnel at Frankfurt, Hamburg and Munich airport terminals last week going about their job without displaying any sign of panic in the wake of the suicide car bomb bid at Glasgow airport.

Warnings

Stern warnings are displayed on the restriction imposed on carrying liquids like perfumes, sprays, lotions measuring more than 100 ml in hand baggage.

Waste bins can be seen overflowing with items like shampoos, deodorants and other skin care lotions. Personal care items as well as duty free shopping of liquor have to be carried in transparent zip pouches and bags.

Security personnel are taking no chances and are scanning all personal items, be it leather belts, wallets, shoes, high block heel sandals, and liquids or any other object arousing their suspicion.

Air travel globally changed forever in the aftermath of the 9/11 terror attacks in New York and passengers have come to realise that enhanced security measures, punctuated with high alerts at different times, have come to stay.

At Munich airport, authorities have the line “it is your trust in us that we are testing” printed on plastic trays where a passenger empties his or her pockets and passes through the metal scanner, a polite way of making passengers understand the job security personnel are undertaking round the clock at busy and sprawling airports like Munich which handles nearly 600 flights a day and has Terminal Two dedicated only to handle flights operated by Lufthansa Airlines and its Star alliance partners.

New measures

Despite concerns of aviation security, newer challenges and terror plots to transport infrastructure cropping up, air travel continues to grow and airlines like Lufthansa have introduced measures such as “quick check-in” machines and an exclusive First Class Terminal in Frankfurt where first class passengers while waiting for their flights can enjoy the facilities of shower, restaurant, and bar and head straight to their respective aircraft in security-cleared limousines after clearing all formalities.

“In future the stress will be on “biometrics” where iris scan of a passenger will enable him or her to gain access through quick check-in machines at airports,” says Corinna Born, a manager in the business division of the Munich International Airport.

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