SA airport security top-notch
‘STELLAR’: INNOVATIVE USE OF CANINES AMONG MEASURES US HAS INTRODUCED HERE
Praise for director of civil aviation Poppy Khoza from top American official.
Asenior official from the US Transportation Security Administration says South Africa’s main airports, OR Tambo International in Johannesburg and Cape Town International, have security that is as good as those rated the most secure abroad.
The Transport Security Administration (TSA) was set up after the terrorist attacks in the US on 11 September, 2001 and is responsible for US aviation security.
It cooperates with governments around the world, particularly those which have direct flights to the US. Its larger mandate also includes security at shipping ports and on railways.
Chris Hadinger, who is the TSA’s representative in southern Africa, said security at major SA airports is “stellar”.
As points of departure for direct flights to the US, Johannesburg airports are his focus, but he also has praise for security at SA’s regional airports.
Hadinger is one of 26 (TSA) representatives outside the US tasked with maintaining relationships with foreign governments on airport security issues.
The TSA is in the process of selecting countries it will recognise as having security that it considers to be of the same standard maintained at US airports.
SA, along with a number of Western European and Asian countries, is on the list being drawn up.
Hadinger, who has been in SA for three years, works with the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) and the Airports Company of South Africa.
While the immediate concern of the TSA is the security around direct flights to the US, Hadinger says his agency regularly exchanges information with SA on a range of airline security issues. Currently three airlines – South African Airways and US airlines Delta and United – fly directly between SA and the US.
American Airlines is reportedly considering a direct flight from the US to Cape Town. Despite a distant political relationship between the US and SA, Hadinger says there is close cooperation between the two countries on airline security matters.
“There is no question in my mind that the level of security here is stellar and getting better, due to the heavy investment in technology,” he said.
He gives much of the credit to director of civil aviation at the
SACAA Poppy Khoza, whom he says has good experience, having worked with the International Civil Aviation Organisation, and ensures a proactive stance.
SA is about to install state-ofthe-art computed tomography scanners at security checkpoints at the main airports.
This is similar to the type of computed tomography technology used by radiographers in the medical field and will allow for the greatly improved detection of threats.
Combined with artificial intelligence algorithms and 3D imaging, the technology will allow shapes, such as that of a gun or a bomb, to be better recognised.
Hadinger says the US has brought back best security practices from SA, including what he termed an “innovative use of canines”.
Last year, SA officials visited the US for TSA workshops on the management of canine programmes, behaviour detection and insider threats.
He said SA was aware of insider threats in “sterile” areas, where people and bags have already passed through security checkpoints.
To counter this it is key to ensure background checks on employees, but also their perpetual vetting, Hadinger says.
While the US is aware of the threat of terrorism coming from Africa and regional problems with border security, good procedures can ensure these threats are mitigated for airlines.
The TSA is keen for SA to help countries in the region improve security. –
Level of security here is stellar and getting better