Security chiefs say protecting preimeter harder than protecting terminals
13.01.08
Protecting airport perimeters is more of a challenge than protecting terminals, security chiefs discussing the impact of the incident at Glasgow Airport during the summer said at a recent conference.
Janes security magazine reports that Robert van den Bergh, head of security operations at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam, told the recent ACI Europe Airport Exchange in Madrid that one of his first moves after hearing of the Glasgow incident was to look at ways to channel traffic away from terminal buildings.
Measures introduced at airports since the attack include bollards installed to prevent unauthorised vehicles that do get through checkpoints from building up speed. These included the positioning of huge concrete flower boxes, which had the advantage of 'looking very friendly', he said. Smart cameras are also being tested to check on the registration plates of all cars arriving at the airport - a system that is directly linked to a police database.
The main worry, however, is safeguarding against the possibility of an attack through the perimeter fence, which at Schiphol is 55 km long, Mr. van den Bergh told the deligates. There are regular patrols, but 'you can't control the whole perimeter. You can't be there all the time.'
Another early move at Schiphol in the wake of the Glasgow Airport incident was to close the executive airport parking area under one of the terminals. This is to be rebuilt in another location, as airports place security concerns ahead of passenger convenience.
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