ON Sept 11, 2001, when al-Qaeda members hijacked four airplanes and flew them into the World Trade Centre towers and the Pentagon, the world’s airport security landscape changed forever.
The rise in the number of terrorist attacks and threats at airports has highlighted the need for increased security measures.
Frequent air travellers will realise that the process at airports around the world, especially since this incident, has seen added layers of security.
Airport officials use various types of screening technologies to prevent passengers from carrying prohibited items.
A few airports are experimenting with 3D X-ray technology to provide a clearer picture of a bag’s contents. Airports in Europe are using liquid, bottle and shoe scanners.
Britain spent a lot on new technology to screen hand luggage to detect concealed explosives. The 3D equipment, which is similar to CT scanners used in hospitals, is already installed at Heathrow Airport.
All major UK airports introduced 3D baggage screening equipment to boost security.
All these measures could end the restrictions on travelling with liquids and laptops before 2022.
Airport security authorities have rolled out enhanced security checks across the globe. Passengers have to separate all their electronic gadgets and remove shoes, belts, watches and jackets. The screening process leads to longer security lines.
It’s just that part of flying that passengers have come to live with today. This makes travelling more miserable and troublesome.
All this hassle was caused by Osama bin Laden who changed the landscape of the entire aviation security industry.
It seems that terrorists, not the airport security authorities, make the rules and regulations.
Before the Sept 11 attacks, flying was a much better experience as security was a straightforward process. Passengers were allowed to bring scissors, knitting needles and baseball bats on board a plane.
They would not have to take their laptops out or belts off during security screenings. There were no long queues when they passed through security officials.
Airport security officials conducted intrusive passenger screening and banned all liquids from carry-on luggage after terrorists attempted to blow up airplanes destined for Canada and the US a few years ago.
The increasing number of high-profile terrorists is a major factor driving airport security market growth.
US and European airports are continuously increasing security measures in the wake of the dual terrorist attacks in Paris.
In 2017, a Vietnamese court sentenced 15 people to jail for plotting to bomb the country’s biggest airport in Ho Chi Minh City.
The US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) amended the rules and allowed passengers to carry less than 100ml of liquid and aerosol through an airport security checkpoint.
US intelligence sources stated that al-Qaeda and Islamic State are believed to be working on explosives that can fit inside electronic devices and are undetectable by airport security systems.
Frost & Sullivan released a report entitled “Global Airport Security Technology Market Assessment 2015”, which found that airport security revenues in the US would increase to US$12.67 billion by 2023.
As a result of 9/11, US$650 billion was spent on homeland security to beef up protection at airports, train stations and other places that draw large crowds.
It is estimated that TSA spends 70 per cent of its US$7.55 billion budget on aviation security.
Based on the International Air Transport Association, whose members include more than 200 global airlines, the main airports are struggling to cope with the mounting layers of safety regulations that now cost the financially-troubled industry US$7.4 billion a year to implement.
Airport Council International Europe predicted European airports need to invest 15 billion euros by 2022 to meet the new EU airport security requirements.
More than 20 per cent of overseas business travellers to the US said that they would not visit the country again due to the onerous entry procedures at the airports.
Local US travellers prefer to drive instead of flying to some local cities to avoid the massive long lines at many airports.
But some passengers are fearful of airport security and also the possible security loopholes.
Airport security officers should refrain from using personal devices, talking and joking while on duty as it is unprofessional.
Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) should ban the use of mobile phones by security officials.
MAHB should never compromise on the security of airport operations, regardless of VIPs or passengers who face difficulties in getting through immigration checkpoints.
Security screening at airports will still be a nuisance and costly for passengers.
Airport delays are also costing businesses millions of dollars.
Even though security procedures are unpleasant, they are a necessary inconvenience to maintain the highest level of security.
The writer is HELP University and president of the Malaysia Association of Certified Fraud Examiners