INTERNATIONAL. Airports Council International (ACI) has called for governments to give “urgent consideration to alternative solutions” to recent bans on electronic items in the aircraft cabin.
Both the US and UK governments have put a ban in place on electronic devices larger than a smartphone being carried on certain flights departing the Middle East and North Africa. The measure has been imposed as an anti-terrorist precaution, and covers electronics goods sold in the airport, including duty free stores.
ACI said the measures highlighted the challenges that the industry faces in the current security climate.
“Airports, along with industry partners and governments, put security as a top priority and understand the need to implement measures rapidly when a heightened threat level is identified,” it stated.
“However, information sharing and coordination on security measures among governments and with the industry is also crucial to ensure effective security. In particular, inconsistency in the application of security measures does not lead to security effectiveness and may result in simply moving the threat to other locations rather than addressing it. In the present case, it also leads to passenger confusion and results in commercial distortions not just for airlines but also for airports.”
In reviewing the bans, ACI’s World Governing Board said alternative short-term solutions might include additional explosive detection capability deployed at boarding gates, and/or the use of “state-of-the-art” technology for cabin baggage screening.
“It is critical that states work with industry and security equipment manufacturers to enable a collaborative approach to implementing sustainable, cost effective advanced screening systems and solutions that are suitable for use in both large and small airport environments, support research and development and streamline certification processes,” ACI continued.
“The United Nations Security Council Resolution 2309 recognised the need for coordinated international efforts to strengthen aviation security and supported the development by the International Civil Aviation Organization of a Global Aviation Security Plan. This, with proposed amendments to Annex 17 of the Chicago convention to be discussed this month, will be vital to ensuring that timely information is shared between industry and governments and that appropriate measures can be implemented in a more coordinated and planned manner in future.”
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has also called on the US and UK governments to urgently find alternatives to their respective bans. “The current situation is not acceptable and will not maintain the all-important confidence of the industry or of travellers,” said IATA Director General and CEO Alexandre de Juniac. “We must find a better way. And governments must act quickly.”
Dubai Duty Free reported that the US ban of the carry-on of electronic items on certain flights (the UK ban does not apply to the UAE) will cost it some US$2 million in revenue this year.
