Security in the Airport - Research Paper Example

Download file to see previous pages Currently, aviation security remains to be one of the current issues of concern as it is a priority for travelers, crew, countries, airports, cargo owners, and airlines. Moreover, it cannot be dispensed that a significant number of people pass via airports. This makes airports to be vulnerable to terrorism, as well as other forms of criminal activities as people interact (Wiener, 1988).

Airport Information Security Background
More often than not, terrorists have utilized airplane hijacking as a lethal tool to advance terrorism. In this regard, airport security targets preventing threats or potentially dangerous conditions from occurring or befalling a country. If airport security works well, the likelihood of penetration of illegal activities, dangerous situations, illegal drugs, or threats into a country, place, or aircraft is significantly reduced (Bart, 2007). Security at airports is crucial for various purposes: first, it protects the airports and aircraft from potential risks. This way, airport security serves to assure the safety of travelers. Secondly, in protecting the aircraft from potential risks, airport security also checks on the security of a country. Needless to say, the purpose of aircraft security can be summarized as preventing harm to aircraft, passengers, and aircraft crew, as well as, offering support to counter-terrorism policies and national security (Bart, 2007).

Some Notable incidents of threats to Aircraft Security
The first terrorist incident on travelers on board was the Cubana Flight 455 incident that occurred in 1976. The Cubana flight had just left Barbados and was headed for Jamaica when it was brought down by a terrorist attack. In the incident, seventy-three civilians lost their lives. The attack was linked to Cuban anti-Castro exiles that had a connection with the Central Intelligence Agency, as well as members of the secret police from Venezuela (DISIP), which included Luis Posada Carriles.
The deadliest airline tragedy following failed security at the airport to detect a bomb onboard occurred in 1985 and involved Air India 182. The catastrophe claimed the lives of three hundred and twenty-nine people (Bart, 2007). ...Download file to see next pages Read More