A new generation of mega airports being developed in the Middle East to cope with major passenger and cargo traffic growth, presents the biggest challenge to aviation security in the region, an industry expert said at the Airport Show in Dubai today.

Ahmad Al Haddabi, VP, Safety Programme and Airports Security for Abu Dhabi Airports Company, said a national aviation security master plan is being put in place in the UAE as aviation authorities face up to new threats which are emerging as the industry undergoes enormous expansion.

“New airports, especially the mega airports planned, require a new security approach,” Al Haddabi said at the Aviation Security Middle East conference, held as part of the Airport Show, the biggest airport event of its kind in the world this year, which concluded today (Wednesday).

“Previously, you only had to consider the airside and the aircraft operations, but now you have a whole airport city to secure. As airports expand rapidly they require faster aircraft turnaround to cope with higher passenger numbers and increased air cargo traffic. This combines to create larger targets for interference, and as a result poses greater security risks."

Al Haddabi added: “ADAC is currently working with the regulator to implement security programmes for airports and airlines, and everyone who is involved must comply. This security master plan will identify potential threats and establish regulations that will secure the aviation industry here in the UAE.”

Al Haddabi was one of several high profile speakers at the conference, one of four important summits taking place at the Airport Show, which has drawn an international exhibitor line-up of over 600 airport suppliers from more than 40 countries, and thousands of trade visitors, to Airport Expo Dubai.

Dayanthe Athulathmudali, Director, Safety and Security, Dubai World Central, opened the conference with an outline on security for new large airports (NLAs) and how to determine future enhancements in aviation security.

Addressing the need to update air cargo screening in light of the increasing traffic, Ashley Reeve, Managing Director, ACR Gulf ltd and Regional Manager Middle East, ICTS Europe Holdings BV, introduced the latest explosive canine programme to handle cargo too large for traditional x-ray screening.

ICTS also held a dedicated workshop at the Airport Show to showcase new simulation technology, enabling training for accurate responses to growing airports and the resulting security risks.

Patrick Marshall, Director, Europe, Middle East, Africa, World-Check and Thomas J. Lang, Regional Manager Middle East, ThruVision, LTD addressed the topic of passenger screening, including the latest developments in scanning people on the move, a major issue for planned mega airports.