Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/699546
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 3 JULY 2016 13 IT'S been a sobering few months for Europe's airport industry, with this week's terror attack on the Is- tanbul Ataturk airport coming fast on the heels of the Brussels bomb- ings. Questions are now being asked about whether beefed-up security could prevent such attacks from repeating themselves, and a fre- quently mulled proposal is for se- curity scanners to be installed at the entrance to airports. Such scanners are commonplace at Russian airports, and indeed one exists at the Ataturk airport. How- ever, Paul Murgo, head of security at the Malta International Airport, is dubious about whether such a fresh layer of security would prove effective in countering terrorist threats. "In our opinion, moving or cre- ating new security screening areas out of the terminal would not nec- essarily mitigate the risk but would rather shift the exposure of certain risks elsewhere," Murgo told Mal- taToday in an interview. However, he expressed confi- dence that the landside area of the airport is kept secure, through reg- ular patrols and CCTV coverage. "More law enforcement resourc- es are now stationed at the airport [than before the Brussels attacks], strengthening the security of our public areas," he said. Murgo was appointed Head of MIA's security in 2014, following stints as the head of the airport's Fire and Rescue Department and as the director of the Civil Protec- tion Department. He admitted that the threat of a terror attack on the airport is his greatest concern, but insisted that its security is top notch, on par with standards on aviation security set out by the European Commis- sion. "We operate in a dynamic and complex environment, managing thousands of people everyday, so safety and security are at the very top of our priority list, at all times," he said. "The Commission moni- tors the implementation of these regulations through regular audits and inspections, so we are held up to the same scrutiny as every other airport one may pass through." He added that over 200 security personnel are deployed at the air- port, that airport workers are also given General Security Awareness Training as part of their induction process, and that the MIA spends millions on security-related costs annually. "All security personnel are ex- posed to a number of disciplines during their training, delivered by experienced instructors," he said. "These include courses on general aviation security, screening of pas- sengers, baggage, mail and cargo, passenger profiling techniques as well as threat and risk assessment. "In 2015, the company also put its corporate strategy under the spotlight, and redefined its purpose and values in order for employees and stakeholders to better under- stand our vision. Service excellence was introduced as one of our core values, and we have designed new training structures for our front- liners, including our security per- sonnel, as part of our continued efforts to provide an even better passenger experience." He denied that the Schengen agreement – that allows passport- free travel in several European countries – affects the general avi- ation security procedures. "It influences immigration con- trol of course…we comply with any mandates received from the Ministry of Home Affairs." However, the airport is certainly not resting on its laurels. Indeed, Murgo explained that it recently invested in security measures – including street furniture to pro- tect the terminal, anti-passback gates and new explosive detection equipment. It will continue to beef up se- curity investment this year, with a smarter CCTV platform, new state-of-the-art X-Ray machines, and a new access control system. Moreover, the airport announced last November that it will be in- vesting €78 million in an ambitious two-phase terminal expansion project. Murgo noted that the first phase was driven by the airport's need to expand its security screen- ing area and improve guest experi- ence. Early next year, the central screening area is set to be relo- cated, in an important move that will double its footprint from the current 350 square metres to 700 square metres. Two more security lanes will be added, taking the total up to six, and the queuing lane for passen- gers to pass through security will be lengthened by 140 metres. "This will mean that our guests will have more circulation space and that we will be improving our efficiency and the passenger flow, which are critical to the overall ex- perience," Murgo said. The key to boosting airport secu- rity, Murgo says, lies in new and in- novative technologies. "Innovation is key to driving the change in security as we know it," he said. "As demand for travel con- tinues to increase, new technolo- gies will continue to be developed to optimise the passenger experi- ence. Malta International Airport is committed to facilitating the de- velopment of innovative solutions across the whole business." News Scanners outside Malta's airport 'will not mitigate terror threat' www.visitgozo.com MINISTRY FOR GOZO Iċ-Ċittadella Saturday 9 July 2016 7:30pm - midnight For more information visit our Facebook page Cittadellagozo Cittadellagozo Patrick Murgo, Head of Security at Malta International Airport, told PAUL COCKS that the threat of terrorism remains his biggest concern but insists security at MIA is – and has to be – on par with EU standards Over 200 security personnel are deployed at the airport. Airport workers are given General Security Awareness Training as part of their induction process – the MIA spends millions on security-related costs annually Patrick Murgo, airport head of security