"Singapore Beefs Up Airport and Aircraft Security"

Wednesday, October 30, 2002

S'PORE BEEFS UP AIRPORT AND AIRCRAFT SECURITY
Bernama The Malaysian National News Agency


SINGAPORE, (Bernama) -- Singapore is beefing up its airport security
with the introduction of a US$45 million automated baggage screening
system at Changi Airport. 

The system incorporating Explosive Detection Systems technology, used
advanced X-ray techniques such as computer tomography, Transport
Minister Yeo Cheow Tong said at the International Air Transport
Association (IATA) aviation security conference in Rome. The text of his
speech was released here today. 

He said that since Sept 11, 2001, the airport had undertaken additional
measures in enhancing the level of airport security, such as imposing a
100 per cent security screening of checked-in baggage. 

He noted that all originating checked baggage from Changi Airport was
screened before carriage, which is in line with the International Civil
Aviation Organisation's (ICAO) new Standards for States to implement 100
per cent checked baggage screening by Jan 1, 2006. 

Other measures taken include increased security patrols by police and
military personnel inside the airport terminals and within the airport
areas and physical checks on hand-carry luggage and on passengers prior
to boarding. 

It had also tightened checks on personnel and vehicles accessing the
airport and implemented additional security checks at the Changi
Airfreight Centre. 

On airport security, Yeo said the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore
(CAAS) was working closely with Singapore Airlines to strengthen
security onboard aircraft. 

Other measures included the installation of locking devices, and
strengthening of cockpit doors on all aircraft, an interim measure which
was completed in the last quarter of 2001 shortly after Sept 11. 

Others included installation of customised bullet-proof cockpit doors on
all aircraft by April 2003 and installation of customised cameras on all
aircraft at the cockpit door entry area by November 2003 to enable
pilots to monitor activities in the passenger cabin, Yeo added. 

Changi Airport, Asia's busiest, was the alleged target of surveillance
by 30 local Singaporeans, suspected to be linked to the Jemaah Islamiyah
(JI) militant network now under detention. 

"Despite the tight security at Changi Airport, they had included the
airport in their plans...Fortunately, through effective intelligence,
they were arrested and stopped in time," Yeo said.


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