Business

No full body scanners 'at this stage'

6 January 2010

Airports Company South Africa is not considering the introduction of full body scanners at the country's airports at this stage, although it will do so if ordered to by the SA Civil Aviation Authority.

"Passengers travelling through an Acsa airport in the immediate future can therefore expect the exact same procedures, vigilance and commitment to safety and security as was the case last week and last month," the company's spokeswoman, Nicky Knapp, said on Monday.

Security measures at airports across the world have been stepped up since a thwarted Christmas Day terrorist attack aboard a plane heading to the US.

On December 25, a Nigerian man, allegedly linked to Al-Qaeda, smuggled explosives onboard and tried to detonate them before being overpowered by passengers and crew on the NorthWest airline flight travelling from Schipol Airport in Amsterdam towards Detroit.

The US Transport Security Administration consequently issued a worldwide security directive requesting the increased pre-screening of passengers both prior to departure, as well as on board for flights destined for the US.

Security control points at South Africa's airports are currently equipped with archway metal detectors and X-ray machines and manned by security personnel.

Knapp said Acsa has a comprehensive security plan in place across its network of 10 airports to keep passengers, airport users and airport staff safe.

"Acsa also continues to work closely with its security partners – including the SA Police Service, the National Intelligence Agency, private security contractors, Immigration, Border Police and Customs – and the airlines to ensure the safety and security of its airports."

Knapp said the SA Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA), the body which regulated Acsa's safety and security measures in line with international standards, had not instructed it to introduce any new security measures at its airports.

"Should the SACAA issue any directive in this regard, Acsa would most certainly comply and implement such directive."

Knapp recommended that passengers travelling over the next few weeks arrived earlier for check-in and that they also phoned their airline to find out if any new security measures were being put in place.

Acsa has a 24-hour help desk which can be reached on 011-921-6262 for any information about airlines or arrival times.

Sapa



	OR Tambo International Airport outside Johannesburg is the busiest on the African continent, with the capacity to handle over 28-million passengers a year (Photo: City of Johannesburg)