"Columbia Airport Prepares for Red Alert"

Sunday, March 16, 2003

Columbia Airport Prepares for Red Alert
By Clare Ramsey
Columbia (SC) State


If the nation goes to a red alert terrorism warning, security would increase
at Columbia Metropolitan Airport, said executive director Mike Flack.

Flack declined to discuss specifics. But, he added, passengers could feel
some of the changes. "There may be some things they notice and some things
they don't."

One thing passengers would notice would be a lot fewer flights.

The airline industry estimates almost 4,000 flights would be canceled if
there is a protracted war and another terrorist incident.

Flack said security at Columbia Metropolitan wouldn't necessarily change if
there is a war. Any changes would be based on terror alerts or requests from
federal regulators.

If there is war or a terror threat, the Transportation Security
Administration immediately will re-evaluate airport security needs, said
spokesman Brian Turmail.

"We will implement some security enhancements both visible and behind the
scenes," Turmail said. "They would be largely tailored to the threat
information we have."

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