Tagged with transportation security administration
WASHINGTON—Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano today applauded President Obama’s intent to nominate John S. Pistole as Assistant Secretary for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). “John’s national security and counterterrorism expertise will be a great asset to the Department in our efforts to enhance the security of our vital transportation systems,” said Secretary [...]
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND (BNO NEWS) — Manchester Airport will become the first airport in Europe to replace hand searching with body scanners, the airport said on Thursday, after receiving approval from the European Commission.
The body scanners will be used – effective immediately – in Terminal 2 and will replace hand searching as part of the security process. The airport conducted a trial of a body scanners that began in October 2009 and became a compulsory part of secondary security screening in February.
“The airport is aiming to demonstrate to customers that they can keep their coats, jackets and shoes thus improving their journey through the security process,” the airport said, saying the scanners will be deployed as part of a 12-month trial.
The airport has been trialling a new ‘SMART lane’ layout and the body scanners are expected to improve the flow rate and ensure passenger experience is reinforced. The scanners will not be installed in Terminals 1 and 3, as was originally announced, until the results of the new trial in Terminal 2 are ascertained.
Body scanners are already in place at Heathrow Airport in London and other British airports are bringing them online throughout the year. Since February, new security rules on body scanners made it mandatory for any passengers who are selected for a scan to participate. Any refusal to be body scanned results in passengers not being allowed to travel.
The model used at Manchester is the Secure 1000 Single Pose, which has already been approved by the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and is currently being deployed at airports in the U.S. The Secure 1000 uses advanced x-ray backscatter technology and image processing software to detect potential threats on passengers at aviation checkpoints. The Secure 1000 Single Pose is designed to help security teams detect potential threat objects concealed on passengers.
“The decision gives us an opportunity to improve our security procedure for the benefit of our customers which is exactly why we began using the scanner back in October,” said Sarah Barrett, Head of Customer Experience at Manchester Airport. “So far over 40,000 people have been through the scanner and it’s becoming another vital part of the security procedure here at Manchester. We have continued to reiterate that the image generated cannot be stored or captured nor can security officers viewing the images recognize people. The decision from the European Commission means that we can use the scanners as we originally envisaged to quicken the process for our customers.”
Manchester Airport will be providing passengers traveling through the terminals with detailed information about the introduction of body scanners.
(Copyright 2010 by BNO News B.V. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without explicit prior permission from BNO News B.V. Contact sales@bnonews.com for more information about subscriptions.)
SEATTLE (BNO NEWS) — Some parts of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport were briefly evacuated on Thursday after a suspicious bag was discovered, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) said.
The TSA said the suspicious bag was located in a baggage handling room and, out of an abundance of caution, the baggage room and surrounding areas were evacuated.
Soon after, local authorities determined there were no explosive materials present and normal operations have resumed. According to KIRO-TV, it was a smoking battery charger that caused concern.
(Copyright 2010 by BNO News B.V. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without explicit prior permission from BNO News B.V. Contact sales@bnonews.com for more information about subscriptions.)
SEATTLE (BNO NEWS) — Some parts of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport were evacuated on Thursday because of a suspicious bag, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) said.
The TSA said the suspicious bag is located in a baggage handling room and, out of an abundance of caution, the baggage room and surrounding areas have been evacuated.
Law enforcement and TSA are on scene to investigate the bag.
(Copyright 2010 by BNO News B.V. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without explicit prior permission from BNO News B.V. Contact sales@bnonews.com for more information about subscriptions.)
GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA (BNO NEWS) — A domestic Continental flight from Houston to Dulles International in Virginia was diverted on Wednesday to North Carolina following a security incident, officials said.
Continental flight 3006, operated by an Embraer ERJ 145, was diverted to Piedmont Triad International Airport because of a threatening message found in the bathroom, the Transportation Security Administration said.
The flight was met by TSA and law enforcement.
(Copyright 2010 by BNO News B.V. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without explicit prior permission from BNO News B.V. Contact sales@bnonews.com for more information about subscriptions.)
BANGOR, MAINE (BNO NEWS) — A international Delta flight from Paris to Atlanta, Georgia was diverted on Tuesday to Main following a security incident, officials said.
Delta flight 273, operated by an Airbus A330-300, was diverted to Bangor International Airport due to a disruptive passenger who is currently being interviewed, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) told BNO News.
Flight 273 landed safely at approximately 3:30 p.m. EDT. TSA said that is monitoring the incident and added that law enforcement met the flight upon arrival.
(Copyright 2010 by BNO News B.V. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without explicit prior permission from BNO News B.V. Contact sales@bnonews.com for more information about subscriptions.)
(Eds: Update with landing)
BANGOR, MAINE (BNO NEWS) — A international Delta flight from Paris to Atlanta, Georgia was diverted on Tuesday to Main following a security incident, officials said.
Delta flight 273, operated by an Airbus A330-300, was diverted to Bangor International Airport due to a disruptive passenger who is now in custody, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) told BNO News.
Flight 273 landed at 3:42 p.m. EST.
TSA said that is monitoring the incident and added that law enforcement will meet the flight upon arrival.
(Copyright 2010 by BNO News B.V. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without explicit prior permission from BNO News B.V. Contact sales@bnonews.com for more information about subscriptions.)
BANGOR, MAINE (BNO NEWS) — A international Delta flight from Paris to Atlanta, Georgia was diverted on Tuesday to Main following a security incident, officials said.
Delta flight 273, operated by an Airbus A330-300, is being diverted to Bangor International Airport due to a disruptive passenger who is now in custody, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) told BNO News.
TSA said that is monitoring the incident and added that law enforcement will meet the flight upon arrival.
(Copyright 2010 by BNO News B.V. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without explicit prior permission from BNO News B.V. Contact sales@bnonews.com for more information about subscriptions.)
ABUJA, NIGERIA (BNO NEWS) – Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano met with top officials from across Africa and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to discuss ways to bolster global aviation security in Abuja, Nigeria, the DHS Press Office announced on Monday.
Secretary Napolitano addressed more than 30 African ministers and representatives, held bilateral meetings with ministers from several African nations, and met with ICAO officials.
“The attempted terrorist attack on December 25 demonstrated that international terrorist threats must be countered with a coordinated, global response through enhanced security standards, increased information sharing and stronger screening measures,” said Secretary Napolitano. “My meetings with our African partners underscore our commitment to working together to strengthen global aviation security measures and better protect the traveling public.”
Secretary Napolitano applauded the measures taken to strengthen aviation security in Africa, following the December 25 attacks. She also announced that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will begin implementing new enhanced security measures for all air carriers with international flights to the United States to strengthen the safety and security of all passengers.
(Copyright 2010 by BNO News B.V. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without explicit prior permission from BNO News B.V. Contact sales@bnonews.com for more information about subscriptions.)
