Weekly News (1 Mar 2010-8 Mar 2010)

AUSTRALIA

On Saturday (06/03), it was reported that the Australian Airports Association (AAA) has condemned the government’s regulation of the aviation security identification card system. The organisation, which represents the nation’s airport operators, said that nothing of significance had been done to improve the Aviation Security Identification Card (ASIC) system, despite Sir John Wheelers recommendations in 2005. A reported 10% of the 33,644 people issued with ASICs have been criminal records, whilst only 148 applicants have failed to qualify for cards. AAA claims that there is no system in place to update information from criminal records, and absurdly relies on card holders volunteering information on any convictions received subsequent to the issue of their ASIC.


ISRAEL

On Tuesday (02/03), the Israeli and US Governments announced a new agreement which will enhance information sharing about aviation security incidents. The MOU recognizes the need for cooperation between the Ministry of Transport and the TSA to manage aviation-related security incidents—establishing designated points of contact for each agency; protocols for notification in the event of an incident; mechanisms to enhance communication; and regular exercises.


KUWAIT

On Tuesday (02/03), it was reported that an American man has claimed responsibility for a serious of hoax bomb calls including a call that resulted in a security alert at Kuwait Airport (KWI) on February 19th. The man, who calls himself Orlando Turner told a Kuwaiti newspaper that he would continue the hoax calls, until Kuwaiti authorities settled the ongoing custody battle over his eleven-month-old daughter with his former wife. The report claimed that the Kuwaiti Police have passed the information to the FBI.


MEXICO

On Tuesday (02/03), it was reported a Police investigation into human smuggling resulted in the arrest of ten Immigration Officers at Cancun Airport (CUN). A Federal Police spokesman said that the immigration officers, along with the two members of Mexicana Airlines staff and an employee of Italian carrier Livingston Air, allegedly facilitated the entry of Chinese nationals into Mexico using false travel documents. The arrests were part of an investigation into corruption at CUN that resulted in the detention of 26 other immigration officers in January.


NETHERLANDS

On Tuesday (02/03), the first officer of a Corendon B737 preparing to depart Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport (AMS) for Ankara (ANK) was arrested for possession of false documents. It is alleged that the Swedish national has been flying without a commercial pilots licence for 13 years. The Dutch Inspection of Traffic and Water was informed by Swedish authorities that the pilot was operating in the Netherlands and was using a false Airline Transport Pilot License, which is required for pilots of passenger aircraft. Corendon was briefed in advance and was able to arrange a replacement pilot. The pilot allegedly said he was relieved to have been caught, and that he had flown for more than 13 years with a number of carriers in Belgium, the UK and Italy.


On Sunday (07/03), a Dutch reporter claimed to have transported up to 6 litres of liquid on commercial flights from Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport (AMS). In a TV broadcast, the reporter demonstrated how he and two associates smuggled bottles of water from AMS to London Heathrow (LHR) then interlining onto Washington Dulles Airport (IAD). The group carried six Bacardi Rum bottles that were bought a week earlier at the duty-free shop, taken home, emptied and refilled with water. The day of the flight to LHR, the three posed as if they were buying the bottles at the landside duty free shop. The cashier sealed the bottles in bags, marked them with their ticket and flight date, and returned them to the pax. At Heathrow, the group transferred to United Airlines 925. Screening staff at AMS and LHR allowed the bottles through.


UNITED KINGDOM

On Tuesday (02/03), an American Airlines B763, operating between Dallas (DFW) and London Heathrow (LHR) contacted Shanwick air traffic control and declared an in-flight emergency after a female pax became disruptive, and apparently attempted to enter the flight deck. Two RAF fighters were scrambled to investigate the incident, but broke away after it was reported that the situation on board had returned to normal. The aircraft continued to LHR, where the female pax was arrested by Police. It is understood that the passenger had become increasingly agitated on the flight, and appeared to have suffered a panic attack.


On Wednesday (03/03), it was reported that a member of British Airways staff was arrested at the company’s offices in Newcastle in connection with terrorist fund-raising. Searches were conducted at the premises and a residential address when the 30-year-old was arrested on February 25th. A BA baggage handler was also arrested under the Terrorism Act in Slough near Heathrow Airport (LHR) after phone records showed calls between the two men.


On Wednesday (03/03), it was reported that two female pax were prevented from boarding a Pakistan International Airlines flight from Manchester Airport (MAN) to Islamabad (ISB) after they refused to undergo a full body scan. One, who is believed to be a Muslim, refused for religious reasons and the other cited health grounds. The Rapiscan machines were introduced at MAN in October 2009. The women were warned they were legally required to go through the scanner, after being chosen at random, or they would not be allowed to fly, in accordance with UK Government directives, an airport spokesman said.


UNITED STATES

On Wednesday (03/03), it was reported that TSA plans to install 100 scanners that will allow pax to pass through security with their shoes on. The report claimed that the TSA is examining systems developed by a number of companies, that are capable of detecting explosives or weapons hidden in footwear, without requiring the shoes or boots to be removed. TSA has previously trialled shoe scanners, but the technology had not been developed to the standard required for deployment.


TSA Weekly Stats (22nd - 28th February, 2010)

3 artfully concealed prohibited items found at checkpoints

17 firearms found at checkpoints

5 pax arrested due to suspicious behaviour or fraudulent travel documents