The issue of security at international airports is increasingly posing a severe challenge to authorities in both the developing and developed world. The latter even with all its financial, technological and human resources is finding it difficult to curb the movement of illegal items and the perpetration of criminal acts at international airports. So one could well imagine the dilemma that developing countries find themselves in with respect to ensuring maximum security at international airports, particularly in light of the increasing use of technology by criminals, as well as the number of airport officials who are on their payroll.
An official statement from the Canadian government alluded to the increasing challenge airports face as regards security.
“All Canadian airports receiving international flights are at potential risk of being exploited by organized crime in the movement of illegal goods and migrants. In particular, Canada’s three largest international airports in Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver are exploited to various degrees due to the large numbers of individual travellers, and quantities of commercial cargo they receive daily from numerous countries, many which are potential sources or transit points in the illegal movement of contraband and migrants. Similar to a small city, these large airports occupy a large physical space with numerous companies engaged in various functions that collectively employ thousands of individuals, some of whom are potentially vulnerable to criminal exploitation.”
An article entitled Challenges to Modern Airport Safety by Dave Ingram notes: “Recent events have proven that the increased security measures at international airports around the world may still not be enough to ensure the safety of every flight and passenger. Distinct flaws in security measures throughout airports, from check-in to boarding, still exist, and safety officials are racing to keep up with the evolving nature of aircraft-based attacks.

Many international airports, such as DFW Airport in Dallas, are drafting recommendations of their own to increase the reliability and effectiveness of existing airport security measures.”

Against this backdrop the recent workshop hosted at our lone international airport the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) which focused on safety and security of passengers was most timely. The airport itself has undergone a dramatic transformation from a dilapidated and embarrassing facility during the former People’s National Congress government.
But like every where else security poses a severe challenge and finding solutions is not an easy task.
Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee correctly emphasised that airports have the responsibility to ensure that the safety and security of passengers are maintained. It was noted that three elements should be considered when focusing on security through an integrated approach: relevant technology, law enforcers and criminal elements.
Focusing on some of the threats that affect all airports inclusive of Guyana’s, Minister Rohee highlighted that trafficking in narcotics is a major concern. He explained that most stakeholders are at one on this issue. It was noted that law enforcers, authorities of CJIA and agents have always coordinated in terms of Standard Operational Procedures.
Perhaps another area of focus should be the increasing capacity in intelligence gathering which could help greatly in preempting criminal activities at the airport.
Experts on the subject have noted that: “The role of intelligence in an airport environment has long been a subject of debate and uncertainty. How much intelligence is out there? Of what quality or usefulness is available information relative to airport security? Could airport security officials properly use intelligence if they could receive it?
Appropriate collection, analysis and dissemination of information useful to an airport, is problematic enough; the availability and usefulness of intelligence is even more so. [Further, even given the availability of information, what processes have been, or need to be established to leverage the product into something useful? Despite these issues, which are daunting, there are avenues open to the airport security practitioner to receive useful information and to maximise intelligence collection, reception and dissemination.”