Safety Management Systems for Airports

Airport safety is a constant concern for airlines, governments and passengers alike. Despite the best efforts of security personnel, recent breaches of airport security have pointed out flaws in the system. The best airports employ several different safety management systems to provide a maximum degree of protection to all passengers.

Passenger Screenings

• One of the most visible and effective airport safety management systems is the passenger screening system. This includes verification of passengers' identities, as well as x-rays for carry-on luggage and metal detectors, air puffers and hand inspections for select passengers and bags.

Luggage Regulations

• U.S. airports promote security by adhering to federal standards concerning the handling of luggage and prohibited items. Passengers are not allowed to carry weapons or large volumes of liquids on-board, and their checked luggage is subjected to tests for substances that might indicate the presence of a bomb. X-rays for carry-on bags can help airport personnel identify and remove any banned items.

Secure Access

• While passengers move through an airport's terminals and gates, there are many other parts of the airport that must remain off-limits to the general public, This includes the network of baggage screening and sorting from which planes are loaded with cargo. Airport computers and data centers must be password-protected to prevent tampering, and air traffic control facilities must be secured so that only authorized staff have access to instruments and communications devices.

Fuel Storage

• Airports must take steps to regulate access to jet fuel, which is highly combustible. Storing fuel in a remote part of the airport is essential to keeping it safe. At the same time, airports limit the number of technical staff who have access to the fueling station, further reducing the risk of a fuel-related emergency.

Security Personnel

• Airports employ security personnel who inspect terminals, the airport exterior and limited-access areas for suspicious activities. Airport security personnel have specialized training and cooperate with local police, who may also have a presence at the airport.

No-Fly Lists

• The federal government maintains a no-fly list, which names passengers who are considered to be too much of a security risk to be allowed onto a commercial flight. Airlines must compare their current passenger lists to the federal no-fly list on a regular basis and take steps to remove any passengers who are not authorized to fly.