By Anthony Hegarty MSc
The aviation industry has always intrigued me, not just as a frequent flyer, but also because airports often serve as hubs for criminal activities, including human trafficking and terrorism. Despite advancements in airport security, vulnerabilities remain, and it is critical to address them.
Human Trafficking: A Hidden Epidemic
Airports are key transit points for human trafficking, and properly trained staff can play a vital role in identifying potential victims before they board flights. However, such training is typically limited to airport security personnel. Other employees—such as restaurant workers, retail staff, and cleaners—are often overlooked, despite their potential to notice signs of trafficking in less scrutinized areas.
Interestingly, almost 40% of convicted human traffickers globally are women, many of whom use airports as part of their operations. Loopholes in passport control systems have exacerbated the trafficking of vulnerable individuals, especially children, and highlight the urgent need for robust measures to close these gaps.
Terrorism: A Persistent Threat
The UK has been relatively fortunate, experiencing only two terrorist attacks on airports. The 2007 Glasgow Airport attack broke stereotypes about terrorist profiles, while the 1984 Heathrow attack remains unsolved, despite one anarchist group claiming responsibility. This group, The Angry Brigade, carried out 25 bombings across the UK and shares behavioral patterns with modern anarchist movements worldwide, emphasizing the evolving nature of airport-related threats.
Airline Security: A Historical Perspective
Airline safety has evolved significantly. During the 1960s, hijackings were rampant, prompting the introduction of Sky Marshals in 1970. However, this program was discontinued in 1972 by US President Nixon in favor of enhanced passenger screening and airport security. Unfortunately, hijackings surged during the 1970s, becoming more violent as religious fundamentalism gained traction.
The 1980s saw a shift from taking hostages to targeting passengers with deadly intent, culminating in tragedies like the Lockerbie bombing and Korean Air Flight 858. The horrific events of 9/11 demonstrated how airplanes could be weaponized, reshaping global aviation security protocols.
Emerging Threats
While drones have caused recent disruptions near airports, another overlooked risk is the intentional release of birds into flight paths—an attack that could have devastating consequences. This underscores the importance of extending airport security beyond traditional perimeters.
Security Technologies: Are We Safe?
Passenger screening technologies have improved over the years, but concerns remain. The Backscatter scanner, once widely used at international airports, faced criticism for privacy issues and demonstrated vulnerabilities, including the ability to bypass detection with certain weapons or explosives. These vulnerabilities contributed to the adoption of more advanced millimeter wave (MMW) scanners.
However, questions persist about whether MMW scanners fully address the weaknesses of their predecessors. Alarmingly, older scanners are available for purchase online, potentially allowing hostile actors to study and exploit their vulnerabilities. Additionally, these machines are in use at airports in hostile states, creating further risks.
Balancing Safety and Scale
Despite these challenges, air travel remains the safest mode of transportation. In 2018, 4.4 billion passengers flew on 46.1 million flights, generating $30 billion in profits for the aviation industry. However, the same year, 25 million passengers were trafficked illegally, generating $32 billion for criminal enterprises.
Statistically, air travel fatalities remain rare. In 2018, there were 11 fatal accidents resulting in 523 deaths. By 2019, the number of accidents rose to 86, causing 257 fatalities among passengers and crew. These numbers illustrate the immense safety of modern aviation compared to other forms of travel.
Closing Thoughts
Airports are vital nodes in global transportation, but they remain targets for those seeking to exploit their vulnerabilities. As threats evolve, so must our security strategies. By addressing gaps in training, technology, and perimeter defenses, we can ensure that airports remain safe for passengers while becoming less hospitable to criminal enterprises.
Travel safe!
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