In a show of defiance, both ACI Europe and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) yesterday condemned this week’s terrorist attack on Istanbul-Atatürk airport that left more than 40 people dead and over 230 injured.

 

Olivier Jankovec, Director General ACI Europe commented “Security is paramount and we – the airport industry – remain firmly committed to continuously improving the quality and efficiency of security measures.

 

“Airports are already among the most regulated spaces in this regard. What happened yesterday in Istanbul shows us that the real challenge now is to stop terrorists before they ever reach an airport or any other public space – I cannot reiterate enough, better intelligence and more effective information exchange and cooperation between the competent public authorities needs to become the highest priority.”

 

 

‘…COWARDLY AND MURDEROUS ACT…’

IATA Director General and CEO Tony Tyler agreed with Jankovec’s sentiments: “Once again, innocent travellers have been attacked in a cowardly and murderous act. Our thoughts are with the victims, and their families and friends.

 

“Air transport brings people together and facilitates both social and economic development. Istanbul has a particularly significant and historical role in connecting East and West. Last night’s attack was a broad attack on our shared humanity. But terrorism will never succeed in reversing the interconnectedness of the world.”

 

While paying tribute to the Turkish people, Tyler added that the safety and security of passengers are also top priorities: “This tragedy in Istanbul and the one in Brussels earlier this year show that there is a growing challenge for governments to keep people safe in the ‘landside’ parts of the airport.

 

“Moving people ‘airside’ more quickly can help to mitigate risk. The industry has a number of initiatives in place to achieve that aim and we are working with governments and airports to implement them,” he said.

 

ADDITIONAL LANDSIDE SECURITY MEASURES

In his statement, Jankovec said the thoughts of the association and others are obviously with the victims, their families and friends and airport colleagues at TAV Airports Holding and DHMI.

 

He said this is just the latest in a series of terrorist attacks, targeting not only airports, but various other public spaces: “The growing frequency of these attacks indicates that our way of life is intrinsically linked to how we secure significant public spaces where large numbers of people gather.

 

“In the wake of the terror attacks that took place in Brussels on 22 March (both at the airport and in the city), national authorities across Europe reviewed the security of their airports.

 

“As a result, additional measures have been adopted for public areas (landside) at many airports. These additional measures are aimed at reinforcing surveillance and increasing detection capabilities and they remain in place at this time.”

 

THERE IS NO 100% SAFE PROTECTION

Jankovec added that this week’s attack took place at an airport that has systematic landside security checks on all passengers and visitors as they enter the terminal buildings.

 

However, he added: “Many of the fatalities occurred while people were queuing to access the terminal building – an unfortunate reminder that this kind of additional security measure tends to move the target rather than actually securing it. We must face the reality that when dealing with a terror threat based on suicide bombing, no security measures can ensure 100% protection.”

 

[Photo credit: Top image, Istanbul Airport: Milan Suvajac].