Once again it has become apparent that airports need a closer network of security measures, since aircraft remain a possible target for terrorists and can quickly become bombs. Airport infrastructures comprise some of the most important and vulnerable lifelines of our civilisation. There are constantly thousands of people passing through them, and millions of tons of freight are handled. All this makes them extremely vulnerable and requires both sensitive and well thought-out early warning security systems and well-trained personnel. GIT SECURITY is monitoring the current security situation and asks well-known experts under what conditions people and technology will remain able to provide the required level of aviation security.

Closing Loopholes and Detecting ­Dangers
Air travel and security are an inseparable combination. All passengers, as well as airport visitors, expect the very highest standards of personnel, technology, maintenance and organisation. This includes the security of the aircraft itself, air traffic control, and also the most stringent possible protection against criminals and terrorism. According to statements by the German security authorities, the danger of a terrorist attack in Germany is as great as it has ever been. Among other things, such attacks could have the objective of influencing Germany to withdraw its troops from Afghanistan. These security risks must be countered with appropriate measures. This is an important question of image for both airports and airlines alike. In addition, there is a requirement for the smooth and economically justifiable handling of traffic with the least possible interference to passengers and visitors. It is essential that there is no opportunity for explosives, home-made devices, weapons and dangerous objects of all kinds to be brought on board aircraft. In the age of suicide bombings, this places very great demands on security checks. As explosives can be transported in any conceivable form (as liquids, powders, pastes or solids) both on the person and in baggage, smooth and acceptable checks become a central security issue.

Aviation Security Checks and the ­German Federal Police
Among other things, the German Air Security Act (LuftSiG) regulates the general and particular powers of aviation security authorities, security measures by airport operators, security measures by airlines, and the tasks and authorities of pilots.

As the „border police", the German Federal Police are responsible for compliance with the LuftSiG and the monitoring of incoming and outgoing traffic, as well as combating any associated criminal behaviour. According to Art. 19 LuftSiG, it is prohibited to carry explosives, ammunition, detonators, inflammable liquids, corrosive or toxic substances, gases in containers, as well as other substances which on their own, or in combination with other substances, could cause an explosion or a fire, either in hand luggage or on the person in aircraft or in areas of airports which are not generally accessible, and offences are subject to a jail sentence of up to two years or a fine. According to the Federal Ministry of the Interior, legally prescribed air transport security checks are carried out at a high level against the background of an existing abstract increased terrorist threat situation in Germany. The incident in Detroit was used by the German Federal Police as an occasion to directly supplement this high standard of security with additional control measures. The German security authorities are in close contact with the experts from the American air transport security authority TSA.

Synergy Effects
In future, the police and the customs authorities will cooperate more closely. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Finance announced that a joint working party from the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of the Interior will be set up for this purpose. However, the Federal Government denied reports of a fusion of the police and the customs authorities. The working party is simply to analyse „interfaces" between the security authorities, including in the field of IT. The objective is higher efficiency. The magazine „Der Spiegel" had previously reported that the fusion of the enforcement areas of the customs authorities and the police was under consideration. In this way, about 17,000 jobs, e.g. with the criminal investigation department of the customs office, customs investigation and the financial investigation of illegal work, could be removed from the responsibility of the Ministry of Finance and reallocated to the Federal Police and the Federal Criminal Investigation Office. This could invole the elimination of about 5,000 jobs due to synergy effects. It was further stated that planning was intended to be started as early as this spring.