ACI ready to cooperate on aviation security following Domodedovo attack

Following the terrorist attack that took place on 24 January at the airport of Domodedovo in Moscow, Airports Council International would like to express its heartfelt support to our colleagues at Domodedovo airport and deepest sympathy to all those affected by this tragedy.

Moscow Domodedovo airport

Along with safety, security is an absolute for all airports. Since the terrorist attacks of September 2001, airports have duly implemented and complied with a revamped security regime enacted by the competent national, European and International authorities. Moscow Domodedovo Airport is no exception in this regard .

The present aviation security regime in Europe and in other parts of the world has mainly developed in a reactive way, adding new security measures at airports in response to new threats uncovered overtime. These measures are mainly focused on systematic and largely predictable detection at airports, through burdensome screening processes and equipment.

ACI EUROPE and ACI WORLD consider that this latest terrorist attack once again demonstrates the limitations of the current regime, as aviation continues to face an ever-evolving and dynamic terrorist threat. It is also a stark reminder of the fact that an airport can only be one of the last opportunities to prevent a terrorist act.

ACI EUROPE and ACI WORLD are therefore calling on Governments, European and International institutions to start working without delay on a more effective and sustainable aviation security regime, which would not only focus on detection and proven technology, but also on deterrence and unpredictability as well as more effective use of intelligence.

In the wake of the failed terrorist act perpetrated on a flight between Amsterdam and Detroit on 25 December 2009, ACI EUROPE already called for a rethink of European aviation security policy along those same lines, suggesting the establishment of an ad hoc Task Force at EU level. ACI WORLD took a similar stance in relation to ICAO. In cooperation with airlines’ associations, ACI EUROPE and ACI WORLD are currently working on a “Better Security” project, to be presented during the course of 2011, to the European Commission and ICAO.

Along with the other ACI Regions, ACI EUROPE and ACI WORLD stand ready to cooperate and work with all competent authorities to improve aviation security.