Airport Security Measures: Analysis, Proposal, and Discussion

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of airport security measures, focusing on the identification of challenges and the proposal of effective strategies for improvement. The study employs a qualitative research approach, utilizing descriptive research design and a positivism research philosophy to examine real-life examples and interview airport staff and managers. The report outlines the methods used for data collection, including case studies and interviews, to understand the existing security issues such as baggage safety, hazardous substances, and personnel shortages. The findings highlight the importance of coordinated efforts between government and private agencies, emphasizing the role of public-private partnerships in developing airport infrastructure and security personnel deployment. The discussion section emphasizes the need for effective management, efficient financing, and coordinated efforts to address increasing threats. The report recommends enhancing security personnel training, implementing hi-tech surveillance systems, and developing holistic and cooperative approaches to airport security, with a focus on security planning tailored to the functional areas of domestic and international airports. The conclusion underscores the significance of coordinated stakeholder efforts to ensure effective airport security management.

Running head: AIRPORT SECURIITY MEASURES
AIRPORT SECURIITY MEASURES
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

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Table of Contents
1. Introduction..................................................................................................................................2
2. Methods.......................................................................................................................................2
Research approach.......................................................................................................................2
Research design...........................................................................................................................2
Research philosophy....................................................................................................................2
Data collection.............................................................................................................................2
Research strategy.........................................................................................................................3
3. Results..........................................................................................................................................3
4. Discussion....................................................................................................................................4
5. Conclusion...................................................................................................................................5
References........................................................................................................................................6

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1. Introduction
The focus of this paper is to provide an effective proposal for improving the security
measures at an airport. The proposal is provided for increasing the security measures at the
airport. Subsequently, the positive and negative effects that the proposed measures could have
are provided. Presently, airport security is one of the most important concern across all domestic
and international airports. Effective, security measures for airports require the implementation of
efficient techniques to ensure the safety of staffs, passengers, aircraft and airport property.
Increasing instances of terrorism, hazardous environments, illegal trade and other similar threats
increase the chances of accidental or malicious harm that can be caused at any airport. The
proposal is focused towards the identification of challenges and risk factors and developing
subsequent strategies for tackling them. The paper would cover the methods that are utilized to
find out the security issues of the airport. Additionally, the findings gained through the research
are provided. Moving forward, the study provides an important discussion of the findings and
proposes the relevant measures to address the issues.
2. Methods
Some effective methods have been used to gather information about the airport security
issues.
Research approach
A qualitative approach of research has been undertaken for the study. Most of the
previous literature focus on the various problems that concern the security at airports. The study
has considered these literatures for research. Interviews of staffs and managers have also been
considered for the research. This method is very useful in gaining valuable information from the
analysis.
Research design
Descriptive research design has been used for the study. This design is dependent on
describing given situations. The study has focused on describing the various issues that the
present at airports that can affect overall security. Data has been gathered, analysed and
presented in order to highlight the issues present. Subsequently, the proposed changes have been
recommended in accordance with the findings.
Research philosophy
Positivism research philosophy has been used for the study. Positivism focuses on
understanding the reality of a particular situation (Bell, Bryman & Harley, 2018). The study
provides an objective outlook concerning the security situations that are faced by various
airports. Real-life examples of airport security are studied in order to provide solutions to the
identified problem. Positivism philosophy has helped in the effective analysis and presentation of
data in the study.

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Data collection
Data collection has been done through various qualitative sources. The case studies of
various airports have been considered for enhancing the scope of research. Additionally, 3
people including two managers and an experienced ground staff have been interviewed. The case
studies have helped to understand the context of the airport security problems. The results that
were gained from the case studies were analysed on the context of the findings from the
interview of the airport staffs.
Research strategy
The research strategy was to develop comprehensive understanding of both the
challenges and best practices of airport security management that takes places across the world.
Subsequently, these challenges have been reviewed in terms of the findings that were gained
through the interviews taken among the ground staffs.
3. Results
The results need to be discussed on the basis of the findings that were gathered through
analysis of the real life examples of some Airports. Moreover, the interview results are very
important in proposing effective solutions to the identified problem. Some of the major issues
that were found to be present with airport security through the case studies were baggage safety,
hazardous substances and lack of available personnel. The study was based on various airports
and their infrastructures (Haas, 2019). It was found that public-private partnerships were very
important in developing airports. At the same time the interview revealed that airport security
measures depended on both threat factors and the security provision capabilities of the governing
bodies. Airport security was found to be greatly related to the coordinated activities between the
airport authorities and the government security agencies. One of the major challenge was found
to be the security infrastructure. Developing efficient infrastructure for increasing airport security
was found to be related to cost and budgeting issues. Another major barrier to increasing airport
security was integrating and deploying sufficient and efficient security personnel.
It can be proposed that airports are developed with perfect coordination between the
government and the airport authorities. The Aviation industry needs to provide complete support
to the government security initiatives to increase the security of airports. Budgeting functions for
security measures need to be undertaken through establishing public private partnerships (Li &
Chen, 2018). Moreover, PPPs are also important in case of developing better security personnel
deployment mechanisms. Some real-life examples can be provided to further evaluate the
proposal.
Canada has created the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) in
partnership with the Airport operator. Airport restrictions due to airport security are managed by
the transport authorities of Canada. The CATSA takes all the major decisions that are related to
airport security and regulates airport security effectively. French airport security is enhanced
through the introduction of the program called Vigipirate. The national troops are utilized to
reinforce the local security around airports. Security check points are managed by various private
companies working under the airport authorities. In the UK, the Department for Transport (DFT)
and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) jointly manage the security at the airports. An effective
security framework has been established, named the Multi Agency Threat and Risk Assessment

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(MATRA). It is now established across 44 major airports (Nowacki & Paszukow, 2018). Hong
Kong airports are managed by the Hong Kong Police Force and the Aviation Security Company
(AVSECO). Additionally, the district of the airport is responsible for the security at the airport.
However all the security management operations are under the Airport Authority of Hong Kong
(AAHK) with significant power provided to AVESCO. It can be said in regard to the findings
that the security functions that take place more effective through efficient coordination between
various government and private agencies.
4. Discussion
The findings pointed out that airport security is a very important and sensitive matter in
the current circumstances. It is important that coordinated efforts are made by more than one
management authority to effectively manage security across various airports. Hence, airport
security can be related to the coordinated management systems and their implementation
effectiveness. It is important to note that airport security at present times requires effective
management, efficient financing and coordinated efforts (ACI World: The voice of the world's
airports, 2020). With the increasing threat to international airport due to rising terrorism, cross
border smuggling and various natural or man-made disasters, it becomes important that airport
security is managed more effectively.
Privatization of security can be an effective mode of developing security infrastructures.
However, airport security can only be properly maintained through effective coordination
between the government and private entities. It is important that security is given more
prominence in the PPP projects that are undertaken by the government. Currently, the larger
number of Airport are under Government control. However, with the rise in privatization, it is
also important to note that the security aspects that are connected with the development of
airports need to be privatized to a certain extent. However, it is not a good idea to completely
leave airport security under private control. Coordinated efforts are needed to be develop
between the law enforcement agencies, the airport authorities and the private security and
aviation organization.
It can be recommended that the airport enhances security personnel through the active
engagement of various security firms. It is important that security is maintained as a holistic
process. The engagement of the private organizations can ensure better and more effective
security training processes. This can make way for better trained security personnel. However, in
order to increase airport security further, hi-tech surveillance systems need to be established. In
order to engage these there is also a significant need to develop better IT strategies. The airport
authority as well as all the other organizations that are associated with the aviation industry need
to come together to ensure better organizational management. There is a need to develop more
holistic and cooperative approaches to airport security development. There is a need to deploy
both locals and outsiders in the security framework. One of the most important things that is
needed is security planning. The findings suggest that airport security needs to be well planned.
This enhances the prospects for its effective implementation. Security provision aspects might
remain the same for the primary hub, secondary hub, business airports and cargo airports.
However, the type of security required are different. Hence, it is important that security is
increased in accordance of the various functional areas of any domestic or international airport.

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5. Conclusion
The conclusion of the study points to the fact that airport security management is
important for all airports. The findings suggest that coordinated efforts between more than one
stakeholders are important to ensure the effectiveness of airport security. The research
methodology was important in developing the standard of findings that were helpful in
determining the outcomes. It was found that airports need more privatization to be financially
sufficient in their activities.

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References
ACI World: The voice of the world's airports. (2020). Retrieved 24 March 2020, from
https://aci.aero/
Bell, E., Bryman, A., & Harley, B. (2018). Business research methods. Oxford university press.
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Ghelfi-Waechter, S. M., Bearth, A., Fumagalli, C. S., & Hofer, F. (2019). Towards
unpredictability in airport security. Journal of Airport Management, 13(2), 110-121.
Haas, E. P. (2019). Back to the Future: The Use of Biometrics, Its Impact on Airport Security,
and How This Technology Should Be Governed. J. Air L. & Com., 84, 459.
Li, X., & Chen, X. (2018). Airport Simulation Technology in Airport Planning, Design and
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Nowacki, G., & Paszukow, B. (2018). Security requirements for new threats at international
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Stanley, H. J. (2017). Airport planning and stakeholder engagement: An international
comparison (Doctoral dissertation, Queensland University of Technology).