Terrorism and crisis management under AFSI spotlight

Global security experts from the world's leading airlines will address the conference on a variety of real world security issues pertinent to the post-September 11 world. The conference, which will run in half-day sessions from April 27-29 2003, will take place at the Airport Expo Dubai.

'A number of incidents, which have taken place this year, have only highlighted the importance of airline security,' said Kennie Meikle, AFSI consultant. 'Such issues as effective threat assessments, personnel training and crisis management planning and execution are just a few pieces of the puzzle airlines need to have covered to ensure they can meet various security challenges.

'On a regional level, the number of airport expansion programmes will also spur various civil aviation authorities to revaluate their current security apparatus to ensure they can effectively meet the requirements of new facilities,' said Meikle.

Dubai International Airport recently announced its intention to beef up security to meet the demands of increasing passenger numbers. According to Major General Ismail Al Gergawi, Director of Ports and Airports, passenger numbers are increasing by 12% per annum.

The conference, which will tackle this issue and many more, will be addressed by American Airlines' Regional Security Manager, Ian Barden and the Vice President of Group Safety and Security for Air New Zealand, Jeff Brown on an airline's perspective in combating terrorism.

'An airline's overwhelming concern is for the safety and comfort of its passengers. As such this will drive any airlines approach to terrorism. Successful resolution of any terrorist situation for an airline will be governed by its speed of action and its ability to interface with various government organisations and interest groups,' said Meikle.

Another important topic to be covered at the conference is the need for strong effective policing at airports to combat terrorism. Jim Douglas, Airport Commander, Metropolitan Police, Heathrow; Kim Bentham, Airport Commander, Sussex Police, Gatwick and Abdulla Al Hashim, Chief of Group Security, Emirates airline will all present on this topic.

Speakers from the Americas, Europe, Australasia and the Middle East are to address the conference, which will also feature operational case studies.

Additional speakers include: Alexander Kerr, Managing Director - Security, FEDEX, who will be joined by Shawn Gerber, Assistant Director, IATA Security Services, when he presents on the importance of liaison with freight agents and government regulations to provide cost effective security to meet industry needs.

John Donnelly, UK Government Advisor, will highlight the importance of aviation security and intelligence, while Mike Smith, IATA consultant on training, motivation and standards, will cover security training.

Kennie Meikle, the conference consultant is one of the world's leading aviation security (AVSEC) experts. Currently AVSEC consultant to a private security company as well as Cyprus Airways, Meikle, having seen service in the armed forces and police service, joined the aviation industry and has held senior security positions for British Airways, British Caledonian and Gulf Air where he was Head of Security Europe/USA. In 1970 he was part of the Nicosia debriefing team for the hostages from Dawson's Field, Jordan. Meikle is also a former secretary to the Heathrow Security Officers Association and a former security committee member of Northern Ireland Airports, Heathrow, the IATA Security Advisory Committee, the Association of European Airlines and IATA's AVSEC group.

The Aviation Security Conference is part of a dual-congress at AFSI. The second conference will deal with aviation fire and security issues.