Changi Airport to screen all transfer bags from 2012

Enhanced security initiative to be introduced next year

 Published on Sep 10, 2011

Besides the screening of bags to the standards that Changi Airport wants to put in place, it is also training all front-line staff to spot suspicious behaviour. -- ST PHOTO: JOYCE FANG

By Karamjit Kaur, Aviation Correspondent

All bags that are transferred from one flight to another at Changi Airport will be screened from next year.

The checks are done now only for bags from selected incoming flights but from next year, 100 per cent screening will be introduced, said Mr Alan Tan, head of security at Changi Airport Group.

'These are bags that have been screened at the origin airport so what we are doing is adding another level of checks,' he told The Straits Times on Wednesday.

Background story

What has changed since 9/11?

• In 2003, the airport stopped screening luggage in the public areas near the check-in counters. All bags are now screened behind closed doors, via a multilevel process that uses X-ray and CT scanners.
• Handheld detectors that can pick up traces of explosives were introduced in 2006 and are now used in the gatehold room to randomly screen carry-on bags.
• To minimise insider threats, the airport launched a biometric access system for all its staff in 2008. All data is now processed and stored online, which allows for better control and tracking of staff movements.

• Restrictions on the amount of gels, liquids and aerosols in hand luggage were imposed in 2006 after the British authorities foiled a bid to blow up planes using liquid explosives.

• Random screening of hand luggage before immigration clearance for departing passengers, and at the gatehold rooms for those arriving.

• Round-the-clock joint patrols by airport police and military personnel.

• Parking not allowed at the kerbside outside terminal buildings.

'It also allows us to screen bags departing from our country to the standards that we want to put in place.'

Ref:www.straitstimes.com