Lead Editorial
in 1994, Ramzi Youssef’s so-called “X-ray also suicidal terrorists before the mass Given that aviation is, by nature, a global
Proof Bomb” centred on the use of liquid attacks on the United States. industry, our responses should be global
explosives concealed in a bottle of contact Notably, the bombing of an Alas too. There will be many states, especially in
lens solution. One passenger was killed Chiricanas Embraer 110 on a domestic the developing world, that will need support
when the device was tested on a Philippine flight from Colón to Panama City in 1994 is and aid to raise their standards. Thanks to
Airlines flight operating from Manila to alleged to be an early example of the ICAO and certain individual states, including
Tokyo via Cebu. Yet, despite these willingness of an individual to knowingly the USA, this is often possible. Yet when it
incidents, where was the subsequent destroy an aircraft whilst travelling as a comes to determining best practice, we
global ban or restriction on the carriage of passenger on board. It is believed that ought not be too blinkered.
liquids into the aircraft cabin? Jamal Lya carried a device, where Semtex Much of what we do at the screening point is
When David Mark Robinson boarded a was the main charge, in a briefcase and deterrence. Accordingly, image is all
Qantas flight bound for Launceston, detonated it on his lap. Later the same important. So too is the confidence of the staff
Tasmania, in 2003, nobody identified the year, it is believed that the hijackers of an to counter the threat. With this in mind, not all
wooden stakes with which he was about to Air France plane intended to fly the aircraft the solutions lie in the United States. Russian
attempt to gain control of the aircraft and fly into either the Eiffel Tower or elsewhere willingness to deploy alternative technologies
it into Cradle Mountain in a suicidal bid. within Paris’ city centre. Yet these incidents and be proactive at countering emerging
Where was the global response? Had the were in Panama, Algeria and France – no threats, Australian and New Zealand’s
same incident occurred, especially if it had need, it would seem, for a change in investment in aircrew training programmes,
been successful, in the United States, I would aviation security policy. Israel’s sky marshal programme and Hong
hazard a guess that our faith in the archway Post-9/11 there have been a number of Kong-style screeners who are dressed to
metal detector would not be so resolute. significant attacks against aviation. Few impress, all have their place.
And when it comes to suicidal terrorists, can rival the August 2004 downing of two As I write the ICAO Avsec Panel is
one would have thought that 9/11 was the Russian aircraft by Chechen Black Widows. meeting to deliberate the next set of
first time an individual could knowingly kill Simultaneous attacks, as on 9/11, yet changes to Annex 17. Let’s hope that
themselves in-flight. Aside from those few using a single terrorist on each flight. In some of the recommendations that shape
incidents in which desperate passengers Thailand, they might say, “Same, Same, but our global policy come from global best
took out large life insurance policies so Different”. And it will be different next time practice and are not simply America’s
that their families could benefit after they too, just as we saw in last year’s attempt by wish list based on its own experience.
had killed themselves on board, there were ETIM to destroy the China Southern flight. After all, it’s time for change!
Aviationsecurityinternational April 2009
www.asi-mag.com 3
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