Security still a challenge

A major fallout of the 9/11 attacks in the US was a revision in the aviation industry’s anti-hijack policy.

While the previous policy mandated the crew to comply with the hijackers’ demands, according to the new policy, the crew should not allow hijackers to take control of an aircraft, even if they kill all the passengers. “This is because the motive behind hijacks changed from using the aircraft and its passengers as a medium to using it as a weapon,” said an executive of an Indian private carrier.

Other key changes included the introduction of a new cockpit door that could be unlocked only through a code. “The passage in front of the door has closed-circuit cameras. This helps the pilots see the person trying to open the door,” said the airline executive. On security at terminals, an airline official said: “The 9/11 attacks led to baggage scanning duties being handed over to the Central Industrial Security Force.”

However, some feel the system is not yet foolproof. Safety expert Mohan Ranganathan says the list of important people who are not frisked at airports should be cut. Some also feel the security at airport terminals should be more automated.