At the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), this week, Airports Council International (ACI) World outlined its long term vision for aviation security which focuses on more innovative procedures, greater efficiency, and a better passenger experience.
ACI World published its vision as some 700 international aviation security professionals met in Montreal for a series of events exploring the future of aviation security including an Industry Engagement Day, the Global Aviation Security Symposium, and the Second High Level Conference on Aviation Security.
ACI World Director General, Ms. Angela Gittens presented three papers to the High Level Conference on Aviation Security where senior government officials and invited representatives of international and regional organizations formulate recommendations on key aviation security priorities.
Ms. Gittens says: “With growing passenger numbers, airports simply cannot keep creating more space and adding more and longer queues to accommodate more layers of screening measures. We need to find ways of being smarter about security and recognize that there is not one solution for all airports. All airports and aviation stakeholders must work together to ensure innovative and integrated solutions are in line with regulatory requirements and are tailored to the unique conditions and facilities of the airport.”
The paper identifies new and emerging themes in airport security, including off-airport handling of passengers and bags to minimize required processes at airports, walk-through, seamless, stand-off security from curb to gate for passengers, and whole-of-airport security to secure the overall airport infrastructure from a range of current and evolving threats.
She says: “In the future, it is expected that interactions with staff at airports will be centred on customer friendly tasks while machines will perform most screening activities. Security screening will be based on risk assessments and advanced screening technologies that allow for effective and efficient detection of a greater range of threats in an ever-evolving threat environment.”
ACI will also continue to develop guidance material and handbooks to support priority areas, such as capacity building as well as introducing new training and e-learning courses focused on cyber security and Smart Security, and developing new handbooks on Insider Threats and Cyber Security.