On any given day, there are over 100,000 flights worldwide, with up to 20,000 planes in the air at the same time. This makes airports some of the busiest places worldwide. It’s impressive how smoothly they operate despite the chaos, allowing us to get to our gates and fly out mostly on time.

We often don’t think about it, but many layers of security help keep this system running smoothly. Travelling by plane is the safest way to travel. However, before you board, a network of procedures and measures protect people and property.

Here are some of the security measures at the airport.

Security Screening

Security screening is a systematic procedure that examines and appraises people to determine whether they are allowed access to and through the airport. It begins at the initial checkpoints near the airport’s entrance.

Here, you line up to present your identification and boarding passes and check your luggage to be loaded onto the plane. Your luggage, including carry-ons, may be scanned at this point.

Security Checkpoints

You will head toward the gate entrance, where you board the plane. This checkpoint is more robust than checking your identification and boarding pass, but you will also be required to pass through metal detectors and body scanners. Some people may be asked to undergo secondary screening that includes:

• Pat downs
• Hand-held metal detectors
• Manual inspection of carry-on luggage

These inspections may be random, or people may be selected because of suspicious indicators or other specific criteria.

Weapon Detection Technology

Many airports also implement more accurate and targeted weapon detection technology at various entry points, where you pass through a gateway. These high-tech scanners detect weapons like guns, knives, and other prohibited items. Gun detection systems can alert security personnel to respond to the threat and eliminate it before the perpetrator knows what is happening.

Baggage screening uses X-ray machines and explosive detection systems to ensure nothing dangerous gets onto a plane. Those travelling internationally must also undergo customs and immigration screening, which may require presenting passports and other travel documents to immigration officials.

CCTV Cameras

CCTV cameras will be placed in high-traffic areas and access points around the airport. This is intended to monitor and catch malicious activity, illness, and emergency. With today’s technology and AI integration, biometric scanning and facial recognition can spot minute details like walking gates and concealing items. This can provide security and investigate potential threats.

Worker Access

Beyond travellers navigating airport facilities, workers must pass checkpoints and access doors throughout the day. Different types of biometric scanning are implemented so security personnel are not at every door. These include fingerprint and eye scans to accurately identify people and open access points.

Most airports have construction workers who the airport does not directly employ, so they, too, must go through background checks and get enhanced passes for scanning through different “airside areas.”

If expansion projects occur at an airport, workers are bussed to construction locations outside buildings. As these, too, are considered airside, where planes, vehicles, equipment, and passenger luggage are located, safety checks are maintained throughout the passage in and out.

Security Personnel

Security workers are stationed at the entrances to parking areas and drop-off or pickup points. Their presence ensures pedestrian safety and helps keep traffic flowing so everyone can access the outside of airports without much delay.

Municipal and federal police officers, contracted security, and individual security staff work for the airport and its partners. In some countries, trained security experts travel on planes. You may have heard of sky marshals who travel on certain flights, but military personnel are also present in airports.

Other Security Measures

Other security measures in place around the airport include high-security bollards and barriers. These restrict vehicles from driving in certain areas and protect entrances and public zones. Extensive fencing barriers secure areas and airside access. This fencing extends to storage areas, buildings, and maintenance compounds.

These are some of the security measures at the airport. Many operate in the background to protect us while travelling. This makes our plane trips more comfortable and safe as we fly to unique destinations.

Published by HOLR Magazine