Aviation Security Daily

Car Bomb Suspect Worked at Aviation Company

noreply@blogger.com (avsecworld) — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 10:06:00 +0000

Kafeel Ahmed, the engineer identified by the police as one of two main suspects in the British car bomb plot, worked for much of last year as an aeronautical engineer for an Indian outsourcing company that designs aircraft parts for companies like Boeing and Airbus.

Mr. Ahmed worked in the Bangalore office of the company, Infotech Enterprises, between December 2005 and July 2006, K. S. Susindar, a company spokesman, said in a telephone interview on Monday. Mr. Susindar offered that information after checking an employee database that listed Mr. Ahmed as having degrees from universities in India and Northern Ireland; he had a master’s in aeronautical engineering. The company did not say exactly which aviation projects Mr. Ahmed, one of 5,500 employees, worked on.

Mr. Ahmed is one of the two men described by the police as principal suspects in the failed attacks in Britain. The police have said he was the driver of the Jeep Cherokee that, loaded with gasoline canisters, was driven into the terminal of Glasgow International Airport on June 30.

Burns cover 90 percent of his body, the police say, and he remains in critical condition. He has not been charged, and his condition has prevented the police from questioning him.

In an interview on Sunday, Gopal Hosur, a deputy police chief of Bangalore, where Mr. Ahmed grew up, said his friends had told the police that Mr. Ahmed returned to India from Britain as something of a radical in 2005, the year he began work at Infotech. He had been known to be pious and goodhearted, but he surprised friends when he returned home with a traditional Muslim beard in place of his goatee, brimming with notions about fighting for Islam, Mr. Hosur said.

There has been no suggestion that Mr. Ahmed did anything untoward while at Infotech. Mr. Susindar said that Mr. Ahmed resigned from the company voluntarily and that the company had no problem with him.

Infotech’s clients have included some of the biggest names in aviation, according to its filings to investors: the Boeing Company and Airbus SAS, each of which has set up dedicated engineering teams at Infotech; Bombardier, the Canadian maker of corporate jets; and Pratt & Whitney, the aircraft engine maker. A spokeswoman for Boeing, Lizum Mishra, said the company would not be able to comment on the subject on short notice. An Airbus spokeswoman, Barbara Kracht, when told of Mr. Ahmed’s work at Infotech, said, “I’m absolutely not aware of this.”

Another client of Infotech is the Home Office of the British government, which is responsible for domestic security and is leading the investigation into the car bomb plot. Infotech helped the Home Office build a searchable computer database of criminal activity in Cornwall and Devon Counties.

Infotech also offers outsourced engineering in other industries, including for Alstom, the French maker of rail equipment and power systems.

Mr. Susindar said that Mr. Ahmed, an aviation specialist, was unlikely to have worked on projects outside his domain.

“He was sincere at work,” Mr. Susindar said in the interview after speaking to an Infotech employee who knew Mr. Ahmed. “And he was very much to himself. There were no friends or anything.”

Infotech Enterprises, based in Hyderabad, India, recorded $120 million in sales last year. It belongs to a wave of Indian outsourcing firms that are taking on high-end projects from Western companies.

“If the planes are designed in the West, the Indian designers are helping to make the planes a reality,” said Samad Masood, a technology analyst at Ovum, a research and advisory firm in London. The Indian engineers, he added, are “designing or helping to design pretty serious components that go into airplanes.”

Further evidence emerged Monday connecting Mr. Ahmed to a passenger in the Jeep, Dr. Bilal Abdulla, a British-born Iraqi doctor who is the only person to have been charged in the failed bomb attacks. Associates of the two men have told journalists that they got to know each other in Cambridge, England.

On Monday, an Indian official showed a reporter a printout of a document that he said came from a high-capacity computer hard drive seized from Mr. Ahmed’s family home in Bangalore, where the police say he lived for six months before the failed attacks. The document was a certificate from Mr. Abdulla’s medical school in Baghdad, listing his grades in a variety of subjects. On the top right of the document, a color photograph of Mr. Abdulla was attached. It was not clear when the document arrived in Mr. Ahmed’s computer.

New York Times

Four convicted in failed 2005 bombing in London

noreply@blogger.com (avsecworld) — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 09:33:00 +0000

Four men were convicted Monday in a failed attack on the city’s transit system on July 21, 2005, that mirrored lethal suicide bombings two weeks earlier, on July 7.

The convictions came days after yet another attempted terrorist strike. The failed car bombings in London and Glasgow in June illuminated Britain’s continuing battle with terrorism with suspected links to Islamic militancy that has consumed British police and prosecutors.

More than 100 people await trial on charges arising from several suspected conspiracies since four suicide bombers killed themselves and 52 other people in the attack on the London transportation system on July 7, 2005.

Two weeks later, a group of men carried explosives in backpacks onto three subway trains and a double-decker bus. But the makeshift bombs failed to detonate.

The defendants argued during the trial that they had merely intended to frighten people in a protest against the Iraq war when they carried homemade bombs in backpacks onto three London subway trains and a bus.

But prosecutors argued that only poor bombmaking skills, hot weather or “good fortune” prevented the bombs, made of hydrogen peroxide and Indian chapatti flour, from exploding and causing death and injury on the scale of the July 7 attack.

In a London criminal court on Monday, the men – Muktar Said Ibrahim, 29; Hussain Osman, 28; Yassin Omar, 26; and Ramzi Mohamed, 25; all immigrants from the Horn of Africa – were found guilty of conspiracy to murder. No date has been set for sentencing.

One of them, Ibrahim, described by prosecutors as the leader of the group, traveled to Sudan in 2003 and Pakistan in 2004 to train in terrorist camps, prosecutors said. He was in Pakistan at the same time as two of the July 7 bombers, but it is not known whether the three men ever met, British security officials said.

A jury of nine women and three men is still considering its verdict on two other men accused of involvement in the conspiracy, Manfo Kwaku Asiedu, 34, and Adel Yahya, 24.

It is not clear why the explosives failed to detonate, the prosecution said during the six-month trial. The bombs contained chapati flour, and hydrogen peroxide in plastic tubs with pieces of metal taped to the outside.

June Plot Suspect worked in aviation

Kafeel Ahmed, the engineer identified by the police as one of two main suspects in last month’s British car bomb plot, worked for much of last year as an aeronautical engineer for an Indian outsourcing company that designs aircraft parts for companies like Boeing and Airbus.

Ahmed worked in the Bangalore office of the company, Infotech Enterprises, between December 2005 and July 2006, a company spokesman said in a telephone interview on Monday. The company did not say exactly which aviation projects Ahmed, one of 5,500 employees, worked on.

Ahmed is one of two men described by police as principal suspects in the failed attacks. Police said he drove a Jeep Cherokee loaded with gasoline canisters into the terminal of Glasgow International Airport on June 30.

Burns cover 90 percent of his body, the police say, and he remains in critical condition.

The New York Times

Art taking off at airports, including gallery western N.C.Art taking off at airports, including gallery western N.C.

noreply@blogger.com (avsecworld) — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 10:26:00 +0000

A mesmerizing amoeba-like glass sculpture titled "Swell" that looks like an ocean wave. Colorful images of pelicans, crabs and other waterlife. Strands of light-reflecting glass suspended from a cable that creates a rainbow effect.

A visit to the art museum? Nope. Just a stroll through the airport.

A growing number of airports, including a western North Carolina airport that features the "Swell" sculpture, are using art to boost tourism, polish the image of their host community and soothe passengers in what can be a stressful environment.

"You've got a captive audience," said Greg Mamary, producer of special projects for the American Association of Airport Executives. "It's just become a very trendy thing."

The Asheville Regional Airport in North Carolina opened an art gallery June 1 featuring 47 paintings and sculptures from local artists, including the ocean-like "Swell."

There already are plans to expand the gallery, which gives local artists a stage and provides a benefit to passengers as they wait for flights.

"It gives them something to do and exposes passengers who are coming or going to that western North Carolina culture," said airport spokeswoman Patti Michel.

Dayton International Airport in Ohio will begin hanging paintings, displaying sculptures and possibly staging musical performances this fall.

The Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport, damaged by Hurricane Katrina, will begin displaying art when renovations are completed in September. Pottery, paintings and wall-wrap art of pelicans and other local waterfowl are on tap.

"For us, it's huge because we lost so much identity and culture due to the hurricane," said Jeremiah Gerald, air service development manager of the Mississippi airport.

Smaller airports are jumping on a bandwagon that many larger airports have been riding for years.

About 300 pieces of art can be seen at Atlanta's airport, including a large display of stone sculptures from Zimbabwe. In the baggage area, giant lifelike ants appear to emerge from a hole in the ceiling and crawl over the ductwork - a metaphor for the anthill-like flurry of airport activity.

The Phoenix airport boasts 500 pieces of art in 24 areas, a collection that has been steadily growing. The rental-car area boasts the strands-of-light-reflecting-glass artwork.

Lennee Eller, program manager of the Phoenix Airport Museum, said many airports are just launching art programs. She calls it the "artport" phenomenon.

"We're at the verge of really developing an industry. We've convinced the powers that be that we're cool," Eller said. "I have 42 million passengers a year. There is no other museum in Arizona that has that kind of audience."

Indianapolis' new airport, scheduled to open in 2008, will boast $3.9 million worth of art, a far cry from the few pieces of art in the existing airport.

The new airport will feature hand-blown glass murals etched with the poetry of local artists, an aviation-theme sculpture with more than 100 pieces of perforated metal and silver beaded chains, and bronzed vintage luggage that will serve as chairs and tables in the baggage area.

Ann Markusen, an economist at the University of Minnesota's Humphrey Institute who studies the effect of art on the economy, said some communities fail to use their airports to promote themselves. Teeming pools of travelers of all ages and origins often have to spend considerable time at the airports, she said.

"And there is incredible wasted space at airports - wall space and other kinds of space," Markusen said.

Karen Kuhn, 60, of Fairfield, Ohio, likes art in airports because it enhances the sensation of traveling.

"The paintings and the sculptures are usually of local interest; that reinforces the destination feeling," she said. "Airports should do more of it."

Mamary said the terrorist attacks of 9/11 that led to tighter airport security, checkpoint lines and requirements that passengers arrive early for their flights helped spur additional interest in airport art to help create a calming environment.

"I often hear that they truly enjoy the relaxing benefits," Eller said. "It lessens stress."

Art can also pump additional life into an airport and even be a moneymaker.

Passengers picking up their bags at Port Columbus International Airport in Ohio now see a splashy montage of artistically arranged color photos showing off city attractions. Advertising messages will scroll among the photos.

Rob Evans, a marketing director at NCR Corp. in Dayton who flies 50 to 60 times a year, has seen art in numerous airports.

"If it's done well, it really does give you a nice sense of transition from place to place," he said. "It's a good idea so long as you don't get so interested in it that you miss a flight."

ARTFULLY DONE: More airports are displaying paintings, photos, sculptures and other artwork inside the terminals. The Asheville Regional Airport in North Carolina opened an art gallery June 1 featuring 47 paintings and sculptures from local artists.

WHY ART THOU?: Officials say the art enhances the airport environment, eases stress, promotes the community and offers an outlet for local artists. Art also could boost tourism and soothe passengers in what can be a stressful environment.

WHAT'S NEXT: The Asheville airport has plans to expand its gallery, which already features a mesmerizing amoeba-like glass sculpture titled "Swell" that looks like an ocean wave.

The Associated Press

Long lines at airport greet summer travelers

noreply@blogger.com (avsecworld) — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 12:17:00 +0000

If you're catching a flight this summer, allow yourself some extra time.

Officials at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport were expecting huge crowds this week as the summer travel season kicked into high gear, but they weren't counting on weather problems that contributed to unusually long security lines Wednesday morning.

By 4.30 p.m., the lines at the security checkpoint had eased to about 25 minutes, said Hershel Grangent, spokesman for the airport. That kind of delay is expected during the summer months when travel picks up, Grangent said.

This morning, it was a lot more hectic.

At 8 a.m., the airport reported wait times of an hour at the main security checkpoint and 30 to 40 minutes at the "T-gate" security area.

The line at the main checkpoint snaked through the South Terminal baggage carrousels to the MARTA station at the end of the terminal, said Hershel Grangent, spokesman for the airport.

At 8:30, the line had grown to the point it stretched well outside the terminal.

Numerous regular flyers, as well as at least one Delta Air Lines customer service representative, said they had never seen the line so long.

Grangent said the long lines could be attributed to increased summer volume at the world's busiest airport and overnight storms elsewhere that delayed flights bound for airports in the Northeast.

He said air traffic controllers in the Northeast ordered a "ground stoppage."

"Basically, all outgoing flights to the Northeast were halted for a time," Grangent said. By 8:30 a.m., the Federal Aviation Administration reported no delays on flights bound for the Northeast.

The crush of travelers had eased by late morning, with wait times of less than 10 minutes reported at both security checkpoints.

Airport officials had estimated that 370,000 passengers per day would pass through Hartsfield this week. About 250,000 passengers use the airport on an average day.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Gordon votes to beef up border security

noreply@blogger.com (avsecworld) — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 12:16:00 +0000

U.S. Rep. Bart Gordon voted for legislation that strengthens efforts to secure the borders and improve homeland security.

“This legislation makes border security a top priority and gives first responders the tools and resources they need to do their jobs,” said Gordon.U.S. Rep. Bart Gordon voted for legislation that strengthens efforts to secure the borders and improve homeland security.

“This legislation makes border security a top priority and gives first responders the tools and resources they need to do their jobs,” said Gordon.

The U.S. House of Representatives approved the funding bill for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security today. The measure now goes to the Senate for consideration.

The bill would provide funding for border fencing and the hiring of 3,000 additional Border Patrol agents.

“Our borders aren’t as secure as they should be,” said Gordon. “It’s time to get a handle on our broken borders rather than look the other way and allow illegal crossings to continue.”

Gordon voted for an amendment that would further improve border security by boosting Customs and Border Patrol’s fencing, infrastructure and technology efforts. He voted for another amendment that would increase funding for a program that allows state and local law enforcement to receive training and support from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to help bridge gaps in enforcement of federal immigration laws.

Both amendments were approved by the House and included in the bill.

In addition to the border security improvements, the bill would:

• Increase funding to protect critical port facilities and infrastructure.

• Improve aviation security by providing funding for new explosive detection systems at airports and funding to double the amount of cargo screened on passenger aircraft.

• Expand support for local law enforcement personnel, firefighters and other first responders.

• Eliminate no-bid contracts to ensure responsible spending by the Homeland Security Department.

“This bill helps to ensure that funds are invested in efforts to secure our nation’s borders and improve homeland security efforts rather than wasted on no-bid contracts,” said Gordon. “The accountability measures in the bill will ensure we protect our communities rather than squander taxpayers’ dollars.”

midsouthnews.com

Ten-year-old temporarily grounded

noreply@blogger.com (avsecworld) — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 12:11:00 +0000

Saskatoon's Alistair Butt laughs when asked if he's a security threat to Canada's airline industry.

"A 10-year-old a terrorist? What?" said an incredulous Butt, who learned he was on a "no-fly" list when he tried to fly from Ottawa to Toronto earlier this month.
Alistair, his brother and mom had joined dad on a business trip to Ottawa, flying with no difficulty on June 6. But when the foursome checked in at the Air Canada counter in Ottawa for a flight to Toronto on June 8, they were told there was a security issue with 10-year-old Alistair. He was on a list, labelled as a person of interest, says Alistair's dad, Usne Butt.

"Initially it was humorous. We teased him a bit about having evil tendencies, but subsequently it became a little tedious," he said.
"He's never been to Afghanistan. He's a very sweet boy -- very polite and well-mannered."

It's not clear what list Alistair is on. Air Canada personnel didn't provide that information. And Transport Canada's "no-fly" list, identifying individuals with terrorist connections or those believed to be a threat to aviation security, did not take effect until June 18 -- 10 days after the Butts were delayed at the Ottawa airport.

At the check-in counter, the Air Canada agent entered Alistair's birthdate and middle names in an attempt to get clearance for Alistair to fly. She made a telephone call. Nothing worked. After about 20 minutes, the agent issued a boarding pass.
"They just made the decision that the kid was 10 and it was apparent to the agent that he wasn't a person of interest and they let him board. But they warned us that it would happen again," said Usne Butt.

And it did happen again, in Toronto two days later when the family attempted to fly home to Saskatoon via Calgary. After another delay, Alistair was issued a boarding pass.

In neither case did the Butts miss their flight, but they are concerned about future travel plans.

"I'm thinking about going on a trip with my grandparents somewhere far away, to Egypt or something, maybe this year, maybe next year. If I do, I'll need my name off the list," said Alistair, a home-school student who just completed Grade 4.
Dad agrees.

"Certainly, I would hate to have some issue come up when he was out travelling overseas," said Usne, who agrees, in principle, with a "no-fly" list.
"But there's a line between reasonable and absurd and in this situation, it's crossed over to the absurd."

The question remains: what list is Alistair on? Everyone in the family is Canadian -- born and raised here.

Transport Canada spokesperson Julia Ukrintz would not comment on the case, but she reiterated the point that Canada's "no-fly" list was not in effect until after the family travelled. And she said a traveler is flagged only when the name, birthdate and gender are identical to those on the Canadian list.

"The U.S. no-fly list has been applied to Canadian flights that were not flying to the U.S., but were domestic flights by some of the air carriers. That's not the decision of the government of Canada. That's up to the individual carriers who determine they want to expand upon and use the U.S. no-fly list," Ukrintz said from Ottawa.

Angela Mah, Air Canada's spokesperson, would not confirm if the airline is using the U.S. list, nor will the company tell the Butts who compiled the list that includes Alistair's name.

"We cannot provide information about the list or names on the list because that breaches security," Mah said in an interview from Vancouver.
The possibility that their son is on the American no-fly list is even more troubling for the family.

"The only people who are going to be punished by this is the innocent because every time Alistair goes to an airport, he's guilty until proven innocent," said his mom, Trisha Layton.

CanWest News Service

Airborne cell service for Europe has strong implications for US

noreply@blogger.com (avsecworld) — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 15:02:00 +0000

An announcement by Airbus that European passengers will soon be able to use cellphones and Blackberry devices in flight may give business travelers flying on aircraft built by the Toulouse-based manufacturer a major boost in productivity, and a marketing advantage to carriers that offer the service.

According to a statement issued by the Association of Corporate Travel Executives` (ACTE), enhanced in-flight communication services are coming and it`s time to start shaping them now, while they are in the developmental stage.

"Two years ago, ACTE President Greeley Koch testified before Congress that in-flight cell phone service -- and internet access -- would be introduced to the traveling public in the near future," said Susan Gurley, the association`s Executive Director. "Opposition to In-flight cell phone service in the United States cited every conceivable objection to the program, including increased cabin noise and disruption, security concerns, and possible interference with navigational instruments. Apparently, Airbus and European authorities are confident they can introduce an enhanced in-flight communication package without compromising passenger comfort, safety or security."

Airbus stated that passengers will be able to make and take calls, as well as send and receive text or e-mail messages using its global system for mobile communications (GSM), which has received the backing of the European Aviation Safety Agency. Yet as an added option to preserve quiet in the cabin, crews will have the ability to switch off the "voice" mode permitting only text messaging and e-mail services. OnAir, a joint venture of Airbus and industry information-technology body SITA, will be the service provider for a range of connectivity services.

"An ACTE poll on in-flight cell phone service indicated our US membership was divided on the subject, with a slight majority, 52 percent, in favor of the service. Yet that figure jumped to 97 percent when presented with the option of internet access through Blackberries or laptops. Clearly there is the possibility here to establish a more acceptable `type don`t talk` cabin communications policy," said Gurley.

ACTE`s Executive Director disagrees with some industry experts who feel there is an insufficient market for an enhanced airborne communications package. "Just five years ago, hotels were debating the wisdom of investing in WiFi. Now high-speed internet access is regarded as essential as running water in a hotel room. And properties that charge for it earn a bit of resentment," said Gurley. "Eventually the same will be true for in-flight cell service and internet access. Ignoring the subject not only deprives travelers of an option, but it wastes critical product development time."

The decision to make in-flight cell service a reality rests with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the United States. The FCC ended a three-year proceeding to lift the cell ban in March of 2007, based on the determination that there was insufficient information as to whether the use of wireless devices on aircraft would disrupt wireless installations on the ground. At present, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) also bans the in-flight use of wireless devices because of potential interference with avionics.

The FCC has approved rules that allow in-flight voice and data services using dedicated air-to-ground frequencies, such as those previously used for seat-back telephones.

"In addition to providing a needed service for the traveler, there is a potential source of revenue for the airlines as well," said Gurley. "One could easily see travel managers negotiating the cost of an enhanced in-flight communications program into the price of a ticket. And this could eventually become the kind of useful perk for travelers when the price of fuel makes frequent flyer benefits too steep."

Association of Corporate Travel Executives

Reminder: Fireworks prohibited from planes

noreply@blogger.com (avsecworld) — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 15:00:00 +0000

As the Fourth of July holiday approaches, airline passengers are being reminded that it's against the law to pack fireworks in luggage.

The Federal Aviation Administration reports more than a-third of all fireworks found in airline luggage last year involved flights to or from Hawaii.

The Transportation Security Administration is warning its Hawaii employees to be watchful for fireworks.

And airport screeners have been reminded to look for all types of fireworks, from sparklers to firecrackers.

Associated Press

Namibia: Upgrading of Airports

noreply@blogger.com (avsecworld) — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 14:58:00 +0000

It is the responsibility of the government to provide good transport infrastructure in Namibia, whether for road, rail, sea or air. Without a proper transport infrastructure the economy of the country will not grow, develop and expand. It is for this reason that the maintenance of the infrastructure requires a huge amount of finances from the state revenue fund.

It is against this background that the governments of the Republic of Namibia and the Kingdom of Spain signed a cooperation agreement for the upgrading and rehabilitation of airports and civil aviation infrastructure, amongst others.

This contract for the rehabilitation and upgrading of airports and civil aviation infrastructure in Namibia was launched by His Excellency, Dr Sam Shafiishuna Nujoma, former President of the Republic of Namibia on November 10, 2004 at Walvis Bay.

Under these agreements, the government through the Ministry of Works, Transport and Communication and a Spanish group of companies, consisting of Defex, Page and Ineco, referred to as Inepade, agreed to work together to complete this project within a time frame of 24 months. Two Spanish financial institutions and the Government of the Republic of Namibia are funding this important project, worth approximately Euros 32,268 million.

The project consists of three components, being civil works, aeronautical and airport equipment and fire-fighting and crash rescue vehicles.

The civil works component consists of:

- The design and construction for the lengthening and widening of the existing runway, a new taxiway and a new apron, a new access road and security fencing for Walvis Bay airport.

- Investigations into the water supply at Walvis Bay airport and preparation of the design for the upgrading of the existing water supply network.

- Investigations into the fuel hydrant system at Hosea Kutako international airport and the preparation of a design for the upgrading and repairs to the existing system.

- The preparation of a basic design for a new terminal building at Walvis Bay airport.

The Aeronautical and Airport Equipment Will Consist Of:

- Air traffic control communications equipment, which will be provided at Walvis Bay airport, Hosea Kutako international airport, Eros airport, Lüderitz airport and at the area control centre at Eros airport. The new area control centre and control tower at Eros airport will be fully furnished and equipped with modern state-of-the-art equipment.

- A new control tower will be constructed at Lüderitz while the control towers at Hosea Kutako international airport and at Walvis Bay airport will be renovated.

- Remote radio stations at Oshakati, Opuwo, Outjo, Rehoboth and Keetmanshoop will be provided with new communication equipment and five new stations, at Maroelaboom, Rössing Mountain, Omaere (east of Gobabis), Stampriet and Lüderitz will be established to provide a more optimum coverage of the country providing better air traffic services.

- Runway and approach lights will be provided at Walvis Bay and Lüderitz airports while the runway lights at Hosea Kutako international airport will be provided with a remote control system. The runway and approach lighting at Walvis Bay will meet the International Civil aviation Organization (ICAO) recommendations for the new generation of large aircraft.

- A control air traffic three (3) instrument landing system will be installed at Walvis Bay airport. Walvis Bay airport will therefore be able to handle intercontinental wide bodied aircraft under all weather conditions, day and night.

- The Hosea Kutako international, Eros, Walvis Bay and Lüderitz airports will receive meteorological equipment fully integrated into the aviation systems. An automated terminal information service system will be supplied providing pilots with direct radio access to meteorological information.

- The terminal building and other areas at Hosea Kutako international airport will be provided with new security and access control systems including surveillance cameras, access control at doors, a security control room equipped with monitor screens, and a new entry/exit control system for the public parking area.

Fire Fighting and Crash Rescue Vehicles

Seven fire fighting and crash rescue vehicles will be provided. These vehicles will be stationed at Hosea Kutako international, Walvis Bay and at Ondangwa airport. The supply of these vehicles will enable the Namibia Airports Company to meet the International Civil Aviation Organisation's fire fighting and crash rescue requirements. Finally, we as Namibians would like to extend our sincere appreciation to all stakeholders and the Spanish consortium engineers who are hard at work to make this project a success. Furthermore, we thank the consultants on this project and all other role-players for their hard work and dedication.

I am confident that after the completion of the project, Namibia will not only be a leading country in the SADC region, but on the African continent with regard to the aviation infrastructure.

New Era

Philippine airport to implement new rules for hand-carried LAGs in August

noreply@blogger.com (avsecworld) — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 14:53:00 +0000

Unsealed liquids, aerosols and gels (LAGs) exceeding 100 milliliters will no longer be allowed at the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) and other regional airports starting August.

DMIA officials said the measure is based on the new guidelines set by the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC).

The DOTC Office for Transportation Security laid out the new rules for all airport authorities, airport managers, and industry stakeholders in a bid to improve security at the country’s main gateway and regional airports.

The new measures downgraded the total ban on LAGs implemented in August last year after British Intelligence Service unearthed an alleged terrorist plot to bomb US-bound planes by using liquid explosives.

The Philippines is one of the few countries that immediately implemented a total ban on LAGs on the luggage of international and domestic passengers.

DMIA general manager Bienvenido O. Manga said the security measures apply to all departing international and domestic passengers that are transiting through Philippine airports.

“We wanted to ensure the safety of travelers that is why we are complying with the new directives,” Manga said.

Under the new rules on LAGs, international and domestic passengers can only carry 100 milliliter of each item in containers.

The DOTC specifically noted that containers should not be more than specified volume otherwise the LAGs will be confiscated.

Manga added that the containers with LAGs should be placed in a transparent and resealable plastic bag measuring 20 by 20 centimeters and not bigger than one liter in size.

The new measures were approved by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and DOTC and adopted during consultations with the Office of Transportation Security in Manila.

Flyers, leaflets, and website posting will be made available to travelers at DMIA, according to Airport Security Officers Marcelino Ibanez Jr. and Ronald Aquino.

Signage regarding the new rules will also be placed within DMIA premises for better understanding of the public.

sunstar

‘There’s a bomb inside my bag’

noreply@blogger.com (avsecworld) — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 14:51:00 +0000

A BUSINESSMAN was arrested and charged before the Lapu-Lapu City Prosecutor’s Office for joking that he had a bomb inside his bag while the aircraft he was in was about to take off for Iloilo City yesterday morning.

Supt. Elias Abad Jr. of the Philippine Center for Aviation Security (PCAS) 7 said that Marcelo Galang, a businessman from Quezon City, told the cabin crew of Cebu Pacific that his clutch bag contained a bomb.

Crew member Diane Magtulis immediately reported the matter to the pilot, who at that time was taxiing moments before the 8 a.m. flight to Iloilo.

Mactan Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA) General Manager Danilo Augusto Francia said they learned through their own inquiry that Galang’s joke alarmed the pilot and the crew.

As part of procedure, the aircraft crew aborted the flight.

All passengers had to go back to the airport terminal while the aircraft and cargoes were inspected by security personnel and trained dogs, Francia said.

The aircraft was finally allowed to leave for Iloilo City at 10 a.m., leaving Galang behind.

Mandaue City Vice Mayor-Elect Carlo Pontico Fortuna was scheduled to leave Iloilo for Cebu at 9 a.m. yesterday, on board the same aircraft. But because of the delay, he was only able to board at 11:00 a.m. and arrived in Mactan at 11:45 a.m.

“It was a bad joke and a hard lesson for him,” said Fortuna, who was apprehensive that he would miss the 2 p.m. council session yesterday.

Abad said that Galang was escorted to the City Prosecutor’s Office yesterday afternoon and was charged with violation of Presidential Decree 1727.

PCAS and Cebu Pacific jointly filed the complaint.

Abad said that if found guilty, Galang could be jailed for five years or fined P40,000 or both, at the discretion of the court.

Abad said, though, that he believes that Galang was simply joking and was unaware that he already committed a crime.

“I think it was a lapse... on Galang’s part,” he said.

Because of the incident, Abad said they will put up notices in strategic areas of the airport such as the boarding gates, informing the public that joking about bomb threats is a crime.

On March 2, 2005, the pilot of a Manila-bound Cebu Pacific flight from Davao City made an emergency landing at the Mactan Airport after the airline office received a text message that a bomb was stuffed inside a lechon.

No explosive was found inside the lechon, but the incident alarmed the 78 passengers and crewmembers on board the aircraft.

A Cebu Pacific flight bound for Manila was also delayed for hours last Jan. 23, 2003, after a Cebu City resident joked that his bag contained a bomb.

sunstar

Africa gets continental airspace authority

noreply@blogger.com (avsecworld) — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 14:44:00 +0000

Africa's skies are set to become safer with the inauguration on Thursday of the African Civil Aviation Agency (ACAA), a continental body to standardise and oversee licensing, training and inspection of aviation staff and equipment.

"Like the rest of the world, Africa is trying to standardise and have a uniform, liberalised airspace, and you can't do that with 54 different civil aviation authorities," ACAA CEO Mwangi wa Kamau said on Wednesday.

The ACAA is to be based in the Namibian capital, Windhoek. Five regional bodies, based in Libya (North Africa), Ethiopia (East Africa), Cameroon (Central Africa), Nigeria (West Africa) and South Africa (Southern Africa) will serve as networking agencies under its auspices.

Together with Morocco, Egypt, Algeria and Kenya, the five countries that will host the regional bodies account for over 80% of air traffic in Africa.

With staff drawn from and paid for by governments affiliated to the ACAA, the body hopes to bring down the rate of fatal aviation accidents in Africa.

Accounting for a mere 3% of global air traffic, Africa has a disproportionately large share of accidents.

"At the moment we stand at 17%, or just under one in five of all fatal aircraft accidents in the world," wa Kamau said.

He attributed the dramatic rise in accidents over the past few years to the increase in air traffic across the continent and the increase in the reporting of accidents, but also to a lack of responsibility on the part of pilots.

A "culture of patronage" reigns among pilots, who often feel more beholden to their employers than to their passengers, he noted.

"What we're trying to do is develop a culture of responsibility, with or without the long arm of the law looking over your shoulder."

This, he told Deutsche Presse-Agentur, will not only help bring down accident rates but also ensure that better-trained staff are not siphoned off to other parts of the world.

"If the ACAA can ensure that aviators are certified and paid according to international standards, they will be able to help ensure air travel in Africa is deemed safe."

Pilots will be able to move freely across the continent and take up new positions without being subjected to lengthy national approval procedures.

Industry experts predict growth of 5,4% for Africa's commercial air transport sector over the next 20 years, driven, according to Airbus's latest global market forecast, by solid economic and tourism growth and inter-African traffic.

Worldwide growth in the sector is predicted at 4,8%.

Africa's fleet of commercial aircraft is also predicted to more than double by 2025, to about 1 000.

Currently, most Africa airlines are in state hands and, despite a basic agreement on the liberalisation of African air traffic, operate in a heavily regulated market.

mg.co.za

Security system at Suvarnabhumi airport must be upgraded: ICAO

noreply@blogger.com (avsecworld) — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 14:42:00 +0000

After inspecting Bangkok's world-class Suvarnabhumi international airport for 10 days, officials of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) have recommended that the security system at the airport opened last year to great fanfare should be upgraded.

Chaisak Angkasuwan, director-general of Thailand's Aviation Department, said ICAO officials arrived in Thailand on June 17 and inspected security systems at Suvarnabhumi airport as well as at other airports in Thailand.

The ICAO officials recommended that the security system provided at Suvarnabhumi airport is scattered and should be centralised. Airports of Thailand (AoT) officials must also be strict on checking identification cards of people entering or leaving the airport, according to Mr. Chaisak.

Also, ICAO officials proposed that officials of the Aviation Department be empowered to both close areas inside any airport and suspend flights which they consider might cause danger to passengers, he said.

They also advised that the status of the Aviation Department be upgraded to function as the 'Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand' as an independent agency to tackle the brain drain of the country's human resource pool which might otherwise be available, said Mr. Chaisak, adding that his department may hire the ICAO to conduct a feasibility study on restructuring the agency.

ICAO inspectors will report their findings to their headquarters in Montreal, Canada, within 20 days and will dispatch an official report to Thailand in the next 60 days. Thailand then has 90 days to submit questions, if any, on security system and must prepare plans to improve the system within 120 days thereafter.

ICAO and McGill University in Montreal will host a Worldwide Conference on Aviation Safety, Security and the Environment focusing on "The Way Forward" to be held in September.

ETNA

Airline pilots flying while fatigued poses risk to safety

noreply@blogger.com (avsecworld) — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 14:35:00 +0000

A BBC News investigation has revealed growing concerns among airline pilots that fatigue is leading to potentially dangerous incidents in the air. The BBC has heard from 32 pilots who say they have flown while unfit due to fatigue.

The BBC can reveal that an incident – with the first officer sleeping and captain "resting" – required a "quick reaction to avert disaster" as an airliner began turning into the path of another plane.

In another serious incident, investigated by the AAIB (Air Accident Investigation Branch), a fatigued pilot nearly stalled an aircraft in mid–air shortly after take off.

The BBC can also reveal the results of a survey for the pilots union BALPA (British Airline Pilot's Association) which suggests a majority of air crews who responded are affected by fatigue – and that pilots believe passengers should be concerned.

BALPA found that 81% of pilots who responded said that their performance had been affected by fatigue. Pilots the BBC has spoken to blame the growing intensity of the aviation industry – and some say their managers are ignoring their concerns.

One pilot, 'Andy', told the BBC: "I have fallen asleep unintentionally in the air – where you close your eyes for a second and realise that ten minutes have passed."

BALPA commissioned the survey, of over 500 of members, following inquiries by the BBC.

Aviation consultant Dr Ian Perry has treated dozens of fatigued pilots: "You might miss a radio call when you're thinking about 'is my altitude right?' That's chronic fatigue. I think in the last five years it has doubled. So if I see one or two people a fortnight, I'm now seeing four or five people a fortnight, something like that."

Dr Perry added: "... We've been skating on fairly thin ice for some years and have got away with it. For us to have a true fatigue accident I say it could happen at any time now. And then people will turn around and say 'well, why didn't you do something about it?'"

There are limits to how many hours pilots can fly and there's no evidence these are being breached. Most airlines told the BBC that their average hours had barely changed in recent years. But two thirds of pilots surveyed by BALPA said they were flying more than five years ago.

Some short haul crews now do six flights – six landings and take-offs a day – without leaving the cockpit. These require the most concentration and are regarded as the critical periods in the flight.

A pilot working in the low cost sector has told the BBC of an incident when an aircraft, with dozens of passengers onboard, began to turn putting it on a collision course with another passenger plane. Air Traffic Control (ATC) radioed an urgent warning but there was no response.

The aircraft bound for Europe had been on autopilot, while the captain rested. This had been agreed between the two men, and left the first officer in charge. However, on realising there was no response to the ATC warning the captain told the BBC: "So I looked across, and saw he was asleep."

However, in the official report to his airline the captain didn't mention that his co–pilot had been asleep. "I didn't want to get him into trouble. There's no two ways about it. I knew that he would probably be pulled in and be treated fairly harshly ... effectively its gross negligence."

However, many pilots and experts told the BBC that admitting their fatigue to managers is a taboo. Pilot 'Andy' said: "I was genuinely fatigued and whenever I reported that I was completely exhausted the operator says 'are you refusing to do the duty?'. He should not have been asking me, let alone bullying me into doing it."

The pilot added that this "routinely goes on."

This view was reflected in the BALPA poll which found that a third of pilots believed they'd risk disciplinary action if they reported their fatigue. More than one in ten (12%) would carry on flying, without reporting it. Forty percent said they would report fatigue.

The chairman of BALPA, Mervyn Granshaw, claims that fatigue is "the single biggest issue facing aviation today. At the moment we are not seeing it appear as accidents or incidents but we're getting closer to that point."

Another fatigue-related incident published in an AAIB bulletin took place at Birmingham Airport in 2004 (but not reported until April 2006) involving a passenger jet, with 85 passengers on board.

Shortly after leaving the ground the crew raised the plane's wing flaps instead of the landing gear. That created the danger the aircraft could stall – and potentially fall from the sky.

The captain had to lose altitude to increase speed – he recovered at less than 700 feet above the ground. An official investigation by the Air Accident Investigation Board concluded that fatigue was a key factor.

Captain David Chapman, head of flight operations at the UK's air regulator, the CAA (Civil Aviation Authority) maintains the system is working: "We have the finest flight time limitations system in the world. I have no problems at all in saying that I don't believe we have a major fatigue issue."

In a written statement responding to concerns about pilot fatigue, John Hanlon, Secretary General of the ELFAA (European Low Fares Airline Association) said:

"Aircrew flying duties are strictly regulated by the CAA and the IAA in the UK and Ireland which ensures that no pilot can fly more than 900 hours per annum (average 17 hours per week). These safety limits are met by all airlines and are subject to regular audit.

"Europe's low fare airlines have an exemplary safety record and this has been delivered by making safety the number one priority at all times. ELFAA member airlines operate a Just Culture system, whereby all pilots are free to report any issues, which they feel impinge on safety, without having to divulge their identity."

Roger Wiltshire of BATA (The British Air Transport Association) said: "We don’t feel there is a fatigue issue in the industry. Pilots are flying well within the regulated flying hour limits, and in the UK we have some of the most regulated pilot flying hours and duty hours in the world. And although short haul pilots are flying more hours than they were that's because the schedules are more efficient."

BBC News

CIAL inducts Army-trained dogs into bomb squad

noreply@blogger.com (avsecworld) — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 09:13:00 +0000

Cochin International Airport (CIAL) has become the first greenfield airport in the country to induct two sniffer dogs into its bomb detection and disposal squad.

CIAL managing director S Bharath told reporters on Tuesday that the services of specially-trained sniffer dogs would play a crucial role in maintaining aviation security in the fast-growing airport. The dogs are trained to identify all varieties of explosives including RDX, sheet explosive, plastic and liquid explosives.

The dogs will be pressed into service during bomb-threat calls. They will check all suspicious baggage and unattended cargo and also ensure VVIP security, CISF commandant Rajeev Pant said.

The three-year-old Labrador’ females named Rambhi and Paro, costing Rs 1.25 lakh each, have the best ‘academic background.’

CIAL MD S Bharath and senior manager (security) Muraleedharan Nair, had requested the Army Headquarters to provide sniffer dogs trained by Army personnel. The sustained requests from the CIAL proved fruitful when the Army Headquarters finally agreed to hand over the sniffer dogs. The decision of the Army Headquarters to sell sniffer dogs which were trained in internationally acclaimed US standard to an outside agency is a unique one.

A selection committee consisting of SPG veterinary surgeon Dr Popli, CISF Deputy commandant D V Yadav and CIAL senior manager (security) Muraleedharan Nair short-listed 15 dogs from 250 trained dogs at Remount Veterinary College (RVC), Meerut which is rated as the best dogtraining college in Asia.

Dogs Rambhi and Paro were chosen when they got cent per cent pass in all the tests. A team comprising CISF constables Solaman Raja, S S Bhagath and inspector P S Baburaj were given training at RVC, Meerut to handle the dogs, Airport director A C K Nair said.

The dogs were brought to Kochi Airport by an Air Sahara flight from Meerut. CIAL has also purchased two pups which are being trained by Indo- Tibetan Boarder Police (ITBP) at Haryana, as part of augmenting the strength of the dog squad and ensuring maximum security to the passengers.

The dogs will join the Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad within six months. Two CISF personnel are also undergoing training in Haryana to handle the new dogs, Bharath said.

A state-of-the-art air-conditioned kennel, spending Rs 20 lakh, was constructed at the airport to accommodate the dogs. Bomb detection and disposal squad with ultra-modern equipments, Quick Reaction Team, Anti- hijacking Squad are already functioning at the airport.

With the induction of sniffer dogs, Kochi airport would be a well-secured airport in the country, A C K Nair added.

newindpress

Southwest, art and music in Dayton airport's future?

noreply@blogger.com (avsecworld) — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 15:07:00 +0000

Coming to the Dayton International Airport's terminal by the end of this year: art and photographic displays and live music from solo singers or choruses, the city's aviation director said Monday.

Iftikhar Ahmad said it is part of his plan to make the airport a more appealing entry point for visitors to the Dayton region. Other airports have begun bringing in art displays and live music, so Dayton needs to get in on it, he said during an interview with the Dayton Daily News' editorial board.

Ahmad also said he has met twice this year with Southwest Airlines to discuss the possibility of service to Dayton. He believes there is a chance that the Dallas-based airline would consider serving Dayton at some point.

"Is there a chance? Yes. Have they promised anything? No," Ahmad said.

Southwest is unhappy about the recent startup in Columbus of Skybus, a competing low-fare carrier, he said.

Southwest serves Columbus, Indianapolis, Cleveland and Louisville in this region. Southwest's representatives have talked informally with Dayton and other airports this year in continuing research of cities it doesn't already serve, but Southwest doesn't anticipate adding any other cities in 2007 other than its announced intention to begin serving San Francisco on Aug. 26, Southwest spokesman Chris Mainz said.

Ahmad, who oversaw operation of the Houston and Nashville airports in his last two jobs before becoming Dayton's aviation director last fall, said he also is working on these projects:

•Exchanging information with parties that might be interested in buying or leasing and operating the Dayton airport's 151-room hotel. Ahmad said it is part of his effort to increase revenues from airport operations to help lower the airlines' cost of operating there, which could make it easier to attract new air service to Dayton.

•Talking with the U.S. Transportation Security Administration about possibly relocating baggage screening equipment behind airline service counters, to create more space on the terminal floor for lines of passengers waiting to board planes.

•Preparing to ask the Federal Aviation Administration for permission to use 400 acres of the airport's 4,556 acres for non-aviation purposes, specifically for lease to businesses as a way of increasing the airport's revenues.

In addition, the Federal Aviation Administration could break ground in September for a new control tower at Dayton. The shift to that facility from the current tower could occur within a year or two after that, Ahmad said.

SpringfieldNewsSun.com

Nigeria: Strike - Military Withdraws From Lagos Airport

noreply@blogger.com (avsecworld) — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 15:06:00 +0000

Armed military personnel drafted to the General Aviation Terminal of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, last week, were yesterday withdrawn, following return of airline operators to normal business. The military personnel were drafted alongside policemen to beef up security at the terminal, and allow airlines willing to operate to do so without molestation.

The Nigerian Air Force personnel were withdrawn from the entrance of the terminal yesterday, leaving Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN)'s security personnel to take their positions.

At the terminal, passenger traffic remained light early yesterday, in spite of the presence of airline officials at their counters, a situation which led to many airline officials scouting for passengers.

"We have flights as you can see, but there are few passengers," one of the airline officials, who spoke under anonymity, said and expressed the hope that the situation might get better later in the day.

The domestic air travel was almost grounded during the strike, as only few airlines managed to operate though the airspace remained open.

Managing Director of Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, Captain Ado Sanusi, said Air Traffic Controllers(ATCs) had to be on duty during the strike, because the aviation industry was a global one and the nation could not afford to be cut off. He said the ATCs could not desert their duty posts in the interest of safe skies.

allafrica

Freight 'a huge gap' in aviation security, inquiry hears

noreply@blogger.com (avsecworld) — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 15:04:00 +0000

Terrorists could still get a bomb aboard a commercial plane through cargo, which is virtually unscreened, the Air India inquiry heard yesterday.
Kathleen Sweet, a lawyer, author and retired U.S. air force lieutenant-colonel, said air freight, and the workers who load it, are "a huge gap" in aviation security.

She said the gap must be closed before another terrorist strike like the June 23, 1985 Air India bombing, which killed 329 people.

"We have to do it. There is just too much access to the cargo hold," testified Ms. Sweet, who heads a company called Risk Management Security Group. "My unfortunate theory is unless we get on this quickly, a plane's going to go down, it's going to be in the cargo hold and everybody's going to be fighting the next war."

Very little has been done to secure cargo even though passenger-screening techniques have improved dramatically in recent years, Ms. Sweet said.

She told the Ottawa inquiry that airlines and courier companies do not want to pay to screen freight.

But both Singapore Air and Lufthansa screen all cargo and are "very profitable," Ms. Sweet told commissioner John Major.

She identified other weaknesses in airport security, including the simple task of cleaning planes.

"I flew in on Air Canada yesterday and the plane was filthy, just filthy," Ms. Sweet said. "The fact [is] that the garbage was piled up so significantly between the seats that something could be hidden in there."

Trash could be masking knives or liquid explosives that could be used in a terrorist attack.

"You better clean that airplane and make sure that anything that could be dangerous is removed. Check the toilets, for heaven's sake. Check the overhead bins. You have to do the whole thing. You can't just run a sweeper down the main aisle and say, Oh, the airplane is clean.' That's silly. That is dangerous."

Aviation security expert Rodney Wallis also testified yesterday about the garbage problem, noting that a Korean Airlines plane was blown up in 1987 when terrorists left on board liquid explosives hidden in a liquor bottle from the duty free store.

Mr. Wallis, who has testified extensively since the inquiry began looking at aviation security issues last week, said he agreed with much of what Ms. Sweet said.

Both are opposed to armed air marshals because of the danger posed by guns aboard planes. Both said "no-fly lists" like the one Canada is implementing on June 16 are ineffective. Both said cargo security must be improved and both said there are often low-tech and cost-effective solutions to improving security that are not used.

Ms. Sweet said explosives-sniffing dogs could be used to check cargo. She also agreed with testimony from Senator Colin Kenny last week that all workers with access to the planes should be screened.

Cargo could be tampered with at the factory where the product is manufactured, Ms. Sweet said.

Shippers can drive right up to planes across North America, she said.

Ms. Sweet said another key issue in airport security is that the experts are always focusing on the last act of terrorism and not turning their minds to what could be coming next.

"We have to start thinking like the bad guys. They are not going to do the same thing over again ... we shouldn't be fighting the same war over again. We should be thinking about what they are thinking. We know what they think. We have read their manuals. They want to kill Westerners."

She said she worries about the possible use by terrorists of chemical, nuclear and biological agents on planes.

"I think they are going to do things that not only hurt people but scare them to death," Ms. Sweet said. "Just because nothing has happened since 9/11 doesn't mean that it isn't going to happen."

Mr. Wallis completed his testimony yesterday by saying that even in 1985, the series of events that led to a bomb-laden suitcase from Vancouver getting on Air India Flight 182 out of Toronto should have raised red flags.

Fly South Aviation News Africa

Aviation board looks for sewer reimbursements

noreply@blogger.com (avsecworld) — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 15:02:00 +0000

The Board of Aviation Commissioners wants to recover some of the cost of installing an 8-inch sewer from the DeKalb County Airport terminal to a lift station at the corner of C.R. 60 and C.R. 427 in 2004.

The board discussed the issue at its monthly meeting Friday afternoon.

Board treasurer Brad Stump said the airport had a larger, more expensive sewer line built because the DeKalb County Health Department urged the board to install a line that would allow houses on the north side of C.R. 60 to connect to it.

Initial estimates for the project were around $250,000, but it ended up costing twice that amount — roughly a half-million dollars — because of the type of sewer needed to allow people to tap in.

Stump said the board got the impression from the county health department that installing the more-expensive sewer was a matter of public health, and that homes along C.R. 60 would be required to tap in and reimburse the airport.

“If it was there for a public safety purpose ... we’d like to see someone follow up on it,” Stump said.

Board vice-president Jeff Turner said he feels the board has a responsibility to investigate the issue because public money was used for the project.

Airport manager Russ Couchman also wants to make sure that any money owed to the airport is recouped.

“If we were forced into spending this money, we’d like to get it back,” he said.

According to board attorney Jim McCanna, environmental health specialist Bernie Sukala was not aware of the problem until recently. The Board of Aviation Commissioners expects the issue to be discussed at the next DeKalb County Board of Health meeting, July 9 at 7:30 p.m.

In other business:

• The board continued to discuss plans to build a wildlife security fence around the airport perimeter. The airport’s rental home at 6202 C.R. 27 will have to be torn down for the fence, Couchman said. The board discussed allowing emergency response teams and firefighters to use the house for practice before it is demolished.

“We try to get as much public use out of it as we can,” Stump said.

Revised plans for the fence also call for Couchman’s home to be located inside the fence. Because Couchman is an airport employee, the FAA does not have a problem with the plan, board member Paul Shaffer said. Enclosing the house would save money by reducing the length of fence by approximately 500 feet.

• Shaffer and Couchman told the board about a plan for improved electronic gate controllers. Shaffer said that the airport’s consulting engineer, Butler Fairman & Seufert, will be working with a security firm on the plan. Shaffer and Couchman hope to have wireless keypads that will connected to a main computer through a wireless connection. Couchman would be able to control the gates from a central location. The board also discussed the possibility of using proximity cards to access airport property and hangars. The system would allow the airport to be locked down if an incident occurred.

The airport would have to pay for a main computer, but if a grant comes through for the fence, the rest of the system would be paid for.

• The board decided to secure an additional bid for a sewer lateral project. So far, one bid of $23,954 has been secured. Stump and Couchman were authorized by the board to take the lowest, best bid.

fwdailynews

Further restrictions may follow five years of tough measures

noreply@blogger.com (avsecworld) — Mon, 28 Aug 2006 13:00:00 +0000

Security in the air has changed beyond recognition over the last five years and airlines on both sides of the Atlantic were struggling yesterday to come to terms with the prospect of yet more restrictions.

Since the September 11 atrocities, airlines entering US airspace have been required to fit bullet-proof, lockable cockpit doors which can only be opened with the permission of the pilot. Metal cutlery has been replaced with plastic. BAA has recruited more than 1,000 extra security officers to staff checkpoints at its seven airports. During periods of heightened alert, as many as 25% of people are subject to body searches and staff monitoring x-ray machines are tested with a computer-generated image of a weapon at least once per shift. Some passengers are searched again at departure gates.

In America, all passengers are required to take off their shoes after the attempt by the so-called "shoe bomber", Richard Reid, to detonate a bomb in his trainers. Some airlines forbid queuing for on-board lavatories on the grounds that people may be gathering to plot an attack.

Terry Trippler, American author of the Airline Rules Guide, said: "If we'd have told people that travelling by air was going to entail what it does today, they'd have said 'no way'. But people have adjusted - we've matured as a travelling public and we accept that this is now the typical way."

At airports, concrete barriers have been erected around buildings. Scissors, tweezers and even knitting needles are banned on flights. BAA confiscates 6m items annually, most of which are sold for scrap. BAA has struggled to manage the disruption - it was fined £1.1m by the Civil Aviation Authority this year for keeping passengers waiting too long at checkpoints.

One issue of contention is the use of passenger profiling to determine who should come under greater scrutiny. Human rights groups have criticised methods which use gender, age, ethnicity and appearance to pick out high-risk passengers. But Sir Rod Eddington, the former head of British Airways, has argued strongly for profiling, asking whether it is really logical for a "75-year-old grandmother" to face the same scrutiny as a 25-year-old male who bought his ticket in cash at the last moment.

El-Al's strict security model

Airport security in Israel - reputedly the strictest in the world - may give an indication of what is in store for passengers elsewhere after yesterday's foiled attacks.

At a checkpoint before Ben Gurion airport vehicles come under scrutiny. Passengers may be picked out for passport checks. There is another spot check and a metal detector as they enter the terminal. Then they join the queue for questioning.

"What was the purpose of your visit to Israel? What did you do here? Who did you meet? Which cities did you visit? Is this your only passport? How many times have you been to Israel? Do you speak Arabic? Have you any knives?"

The questions come thick and fast. Officials are not interested in these details. They are looking for inconsistencies that suggest someone is hiding something.

"What time do you normally arrive at work? What's the first thing you do when you get there?" The same question may be asked two or three times.

Bags may be searched and checked for traces of explosives. Mobiles and purses may be scanned and items including laptops taken away for examination.

With luck, passengers will then reach the check-in desk. If not, they may be asked to accompany staff to a small room.

On receiving a boarding pass they then queue up for the security checks standard in most airports: metal detectors and x-ray scans of hand luggage.

The Guardian

Egypt applies new US-UK security measures

noreply@blogger.com (avsecworld) — Mon, 28 Aug 2006 12:59:00 +0000

EgyptAir has put into effect new security measures adopted by the civil aviation authorities in the United States and Britain after the latter foiled an alleged plot to blow up New York-bound flights in mid-air.

The extra security measures are applied only to flights to New York and London.

Under the measures, passengers are not allowed to carry hand bags, cellular phones, laptops and video games.

Powdered milk and necessary medicine like insulin for diabetics are excluded from the ban.

Egypt SIS

Finland Moves To Tighten EU Aviation Security

noreply@blogger.com (avsecworld) — Mon, 28 Aug 2006 12:58:00 +0000

Current EU president Finland said on Aug. 18 it was taking steps to speed up improvements to EU-wide aviation security after the discovery of an alleged plot to bomb airliners flying from Britain to the United States.

The Finnish transport ministry said it wanted a meeting of an EU expert committee on aviation security to be brought forward to Aug. 30, and had called for a working party to meet in early September to press ahead with an amendment already in the pipeline to an EU aviation security regulation.

Finland wants the amendment to be approved as soon as possible following Britain’s discovery of an alleged plot to blow up a number of airliners over the Atlantic, the ministry said in a statement.

Britain raised its terrorist threat alert to the highest level and drastically tightened airport security last week after arresting two dozen people suspected of plotting to smuggle onto aircraft liquid explosives disguised as drinks.

EU members are discussing harmonizing security checks across the bloc to prevent such attacks originating in other member states.

EU transport ministers will review the impact on aviation security of the alleged plot being investigated in Britain when they meet on Oct. 12, the Finnish ministry said.

Airport authorities in some EU countries followed Britain last week in banning liquids from hand baggage on planes, and EU experts meeting in early September will discuss whether such a ban should be extended across the bloc, an EU Commission spokesman said on Aug. 16.

REUTERS

Strict flight rules for West-bound travellers

noreply@blogger.com (avsecworld) — Mon, 28 Aug 2006 12:57:00 +0000

Air travelers face tighter security with new airport rules in the United States of America and United Kingdom after a plot to blow up airliners bound for the US was uncovered recently.

With the new measures civil aviation security will prevent criminal activity on aircraft and in airports which would include the possibilities of hijacking (air piracy), damaging or destroying aircraft and nearby areas with bombs, and assaulting passengers and aviation employees.

According to local airline sources, the new rules ban almost all liquids, creams and gels from being carried aboard on flights.

"That means you should not pack sunscreen, lotion, shampoo, toothpaste, hair gel or beverages to accompany. Those items must be put in your checked bags. If you are in doubt about an item, pack it in a checked bag or leave it home. Despite some rumours there are no new restrictions on laptops, cellphones or other electronics on any flight originating in the USA. However, it is advisable to pack it in a checked bag unless you intend to use it onboard," the source said.

"If you're on a flight leaving the UK, there are more restrictions where you must check your entire luggage where no carry-ons whatsoever will be allowed. Then every passenger will be hand-searched at security checkpoints. Only a few personal items, such as pocket-size wallets and purses, glasses excluding its case, medications, diapers and female sanitary items without wrapper, and essential travel documents are permitted. A bag used to carry those items must be plastic and should be transparent, the source added.

Despite these tightened security measures air travelers are allowed to bring baby formula, breast milk or juice when travelling with a child. Prescribed drugs are also allowed and all bottles should contain the patients name on the top.

Travel Agents Association of Sri Lanka (TAASL) President Nihal Perera told The Island Financial Review that airlines should educate their passengers with dos and don't in avoiding unnecessary problems for air travellers.

"This is a major hassle for business and leisure travelers heading towards UK and USA. Only available option at the moment is to purchase all necessary liquids at the destination. We hope that this ban will be taken off soon once things are cleared," he said.

The Korea Herald

Officials Seek Broader Access to Airline Data

noreply@blogger.com (avsecworld) — Mon, 28 Aug 2006 12:55:00 +0000

United States and European authorities, looking for more tools to detect terrorist plots, want to expand the screening of international airline passengers by digging deep into a vast repository of airline itineraries, personal information and payment data.

A proposal by Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff would allow the United States government not only to look for known terrorists on watch lists, but also to search broadly through the passenger itinerary data to identify people who may be linked to terrorists, he said in a recent interview.

Similarly, European leaders are considering seeking access to this same database, which contains not only names and addresses of travelers, but often their credit card information, e-mail addresses, telephone numbers and related hotel or car reservations.

“It forms part of an arsenal of tools which should be at least at the disposal of law enforcement authorities,” Friso Roscam Abbing, a spokesman for Franco Frattini, vice president of the European Commission and the European commissioner responsible for justice and security, said Monday.

The proposals, prompted by the recent British bomb-plot allegations, have inspired a new round of protests from civil libertarians and privacy experts, who had objected to earlier efforts to plumb those repositories for clues.

“This is a confirmation of our warnings that once you let the camel’s nose under the tent, it takes 10 minutes for them to want to start expanding these programs in all different directions,” said Jay Stanley, a privacy expert at the American Civil Liberties Union.

The United States already has rules in place, and European states will have rules by this fall, allowing them to obtain basic passenger information commonly found in a passport, like name, nationality and date of birth. American officials are pressing to get this information, from a database called the Advance Passenger Information System, transmitted to them even before a plane takes off for the United States.

But a second, more comprehensive database known as the Passenger Name Record is created by global travel reservation services like Sabre, Galileo and Amadeus, companies that handle reservations for most airlines as well as for Internet sites like Travelocity.

Each time someone makes a reservation, a file is created, including the name of the person who reserved the flight and any others traveling in the party. The electronic file often also contains details on rental cars or hotels, credit card information relating to travel, contact information for the passenger and next of kin, and at times even personal preferences, like a request for a king-size bed in a hotel.

European authorities currently have no system in place to routinely gain access to this Passenger Name Record data. Mr. Frattini, his spokesman said, intends to propose that governments across Europe establish policies that allow them to tap into this data so they can quickly check the background of individuals boarding flights to Europe.

“It is not going to solve all our problems,” Mr. Abbing said. “It is not going to stop terrorism. But you need a very comprehensive policy.”

American authorities, under an agreement reached with European authorities in 2004, are already allowed to pull most of this information from the reservation company databases for flights to the United States to help look for people on watch lists.

Members of the European Parliament successfully challenged the legality of this agreement, resulting in a ruling in May by Europe’s highest court prohibiting the use of the data after Sept. 30, unless the accord is renegotiated. European and American officials expect to reach a new agreement by the end of September.

But Mr. Chertoff said that in addition to simply reinstating the existing agreement, he would like to see it eventually revised so American law enforcement officials had greater ability to search the data for links to terrorists.

Under the current agreement, for example, the United States government can maintain Passenger Name Record data on European flights for three and a half years. But it is limited in its ability to give the data to law enforcement agencies to conduct computerized searches. Those searches could include comparing the passenger data to addresses, telephone numbers or credit card records on file for known or suspected terrorists, Mr. Chertoff said.

“Ideally, I would like to know, did Mohamed Atta get his ticket paid on the same credit card,” Mr. Chertoff said, citing the lead hijacker of the 2001 plots. “That would be a huge thing. And I really would like to know that in advance, because that would allow us to identify an unknown terrorist.”

Paul Rosenzweig, a senior policy adviser at the Homeland Security department, said the use of the passenger data would be negotiated with European authorities.

“We are handcuffed in what we can do with it now,” he said. “It would be a big step forward if we could identify ways in which we can use this information to enhance our ability to detect and prevent terrorism while at the same time remaining respectful and responsive to European concerns regarding privacy.”

But the proposals to expand access to this data will be likely to spur objections.

Graham Watson, the leader of the Liberal Democrat group in the European Parliament, said that given the previous opposition to the American use of the passenger record data, he expects the plan by Mr. Frattini will draw protests.

“I think that is unlikely to fly,” he said in an interview on Monday.

The problem, Mr. Watson said, is not a lack of information, but the unwillingness of individual European states to share with other countries data on possible terrorists so that it can be effectively used to block their movement internationally.

Mr. Stanley of the civil liberties union said that if Mr. Chertoff and Mr. Frattini continued in the direction they are headed, the government would soon be maintaining and routinely searching giant databases loaded with personal information on tens of millions of law-abiding Americans and foreigners.

But Stephen A. Luckey, a retired Northwest Airlines pilot and aviation security consultant, said those efforts were an essential ingredient in a robust aviation security system.

“Even with the best technology in the world, we will never be able to separate the individual from the tools he needs to attack us,” said Mr. Luckey, who helped airlines in the United States develop a screening system for domestic passengers. “You are not going to find them all. You have to look for the person with hostile intent.”

Gadsden Times

UK cleared of aiding Israeli 'terrorism'

noreply@blogger.com (avsecworld) — Mon, 28 Aug 2006 12:51:00 +0000

A high court judge today dismissed a legal bid by a Muslim group to block the use of UK airports by American planes to supply weapons to Israel as "hopeless" and "misconceived".

A judge in London rejected a plea by the Islamic Human Rights Commission (IHRC) for permission to seek judicial review and an injunction against the government, based on the argument that it was knowingly assisting "acts of terrorism" by Israel in its campaign against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.

Mr Justice Ouseley had been urged to rule that the UK was guilty of aiding and abetting breaches of international law by allowing US aircraft carrying bombs and detonators to Israel to stop over at UK airports.

But the judge said at the start of his judgment that the IHRC had failed to establish an arguable case "by a very long way".

The IHRC had sought permission to bring proceedings against the Civil Aviation Authority, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and defence secretary Des Browne to stop "grave and serious violations" of international humanitarian law and crimes against the Geneva conventions.

Peter Carter QC, for the IHRC, told the judge that Britain was assisting in "disproportionate military attacks" which killed and caused terror to people not directly involved in the conflict. The government knew that the arms shipments would encourage Israel to continue its attacks, in the knowledge that supplies would be replenished by the US.

The Israeli attacks, sometimes indiscriminate, were killing people, causing great suffering, forcing families to leave their homes and causing extensive destruction of property, he said. They were "not justified by military necessity".

Citing the Terrorism Act, Mr Carter said Israel's aim of removing Hezbollah from southern Lebanon amounted to "action or the threat of action involving violence or the threat of violence whose purpose is part of a political or ideological cause".

The IHRC said it brought the case "following many complaints that we have received from British citizens whose family members are in Lebanon and facing grave danger as well as acts of terror". The judge said the IHRC's case was "hopeless", "wholly untenable" and "misconceived".

The IHRC had not identified any individual who had committed or was intending to commit or assist acts of terrorism in the UK, a prerequisite of establishing a case.

Its allegation was brought indiscriminately against ministers, officials and administrators without any consideration or analysis of their knowledge of what had been done or what was proposed in the future.

The judge said it was "wholly inappropriate" to bring such proceedings in the hope of discovering individuals who might then be accused of having committed an offence.

In any event, the court had been shown no evidence that the state of Israel was guilty of terror crimes, or that the UK government considered it might be guilty of such offences.

Ordering the IHRC to pay £10,000 costs, the judge said it had pursued its claim despite the obvious hopelessness of its case and despite the current ceasefire in Lebanon, which should have given it time to reconsider.

He said the proceedings involved an element of "making a political point".

But the IHRC did not have substantial resources and he limited the costs order to £10,000, considerably less than the full costs incurred by the government departments and the CAA in contesting the case.

Guardian Unlimited