Experts discuss measures to make air travel more secure

After deliberating on the emerging threats to the sector for two days, the experts evolved an aviation security roadmap which can be used by countries to proactively and jointly counter and prevent acts of unlawful interference against global civil aviation.

The participants at the Regional Aviation Security Conference also reviewed compliance by various nations on the Security Declaration made in the 37th ICAO Assembly last year and carried out a risk overview of the recent developments in aviation security.

The experts, including those from International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), International Air Transport Associate and the Airports Council International, adopted a joint statement detailing measures for effective implementation of globally laid-down security standards. These included strengthening of security screening procedures, developing enhanced security measures including those for air cargo, correct the identified deficiencies and provide technical assistance to needy states, an official spokesperson said.
While promoting co-operation among ICAO member states, the participants also decided to transfer technologies and share best practices and information in a range of key areas.

The areas include screening and inspection techniques, assessment of advance screening technology for weapons and explosives, behaviour detection as a threat-based risk analysis and screening of airport employees.

India now heads the Cooperation Aviation Security Programme of Asia Pacific with the post being chaired by Civil Aviation Secretary S N A Zaidi. Civil Aviation Minister Vayalar Ravi, while inaugurating the conference yesterday, had promised to extend technical co-operation to neighbouring countries in enhancing the aviation security standards in the region.

He had said the government was in the process of revamping the entire gamut of activities relating to aviation security, including restructuring of the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS).

The conference was attended by ICAO Secretary General Raymond Benjamin and US Transportation Security Administration chief John Pistole, besides delegates from several countries like Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Nepal, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Maldives, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia.
The conference would be followed by a two-day Aviation Security Training programme for senior executives of the Indian aviation industry from tomorrow.