Given the size of the industry, this would have devastating effects not only upon lives, but also upon the economy of the country. Because of its size, it would be very easy to hold a nuclear bomb in a container. Terrorists have several plausible avenues of obtaining bombs; they could approach Russia or Pakistan, or build their own. 1.

Airport operators have a responsibility to maximize the security at their facilities. In order to do this effectively, they must be aware of changing security concerns, and have security and safety contingency measures in place that match these. They are also to liaise with security coordinators, planners and designers in an integrated manner to ensure that all the necessary security measures are in place.

Aviation Security Contingency Plans must be tailored according to the specific airport in question. This means that all the systems and procedures surrounding security should correspond to the specific threat levels. When an enhanced threat condition is declared, the airport operator is responsible to implement AVSEC security measures appropriately. There should also be an FAA-approved Airport Emergency Plan, to be included in the Airport Operations Manual.

The implementation of all these measures should be incorporated in the design of the airport and its systems with the help of the professionals involved in constructing these design measures. Operators should work together with these professionals to ensure that effective safety measures are in place.

2.

Airports are by definition vulnerable to terrorist attacks. This is why it is vitally important that all airport facilities have security measures in place to adequately address such threats. The problem is however that not all airports have sufficient funds available to cover all contingencies in this regard. Indeed, more than 90% of airports in the United States are small...

Generally, these have limited funding, and must plan carefully to mitigate their security threats.
The most common form that terrorist attacks take are bombs. It is therefore likely that this is the type of attack that terrorists will levels against airports. Furthermore, knowing that small and medium airports are more vulnerable in terms of security, terrorists are more likely to concentrate on these. While the number of people at such airports are not as great as at their larger counterparts, the level of terror that attackers can create at these airports is significant. Airports with limited funding should therefore specifically concentrate their resources upon this threat.

A vulnerability assessment is an important part of planning at airports. Such an assessment provides an early indication of the threat level and the measures that should be taken to ensure security. Physical and procedural measures can then be put into place to ensure that there is a balance between security and ease of movement through the airport.

In terms of specific terrorist threats, various considerations may be taken into account by assessment personnel. The history of disruptive incidents in the area may for example provide an indication of likely incidents of a similar nature at the airport. If bomb threats have for example historically take place, it would be considered likely for such threats or incidents to also occur at the airport.

The facility location, size and configuration, exterior lighting, physical barriers and access control are all measures that are taken into account. Measures such as exterior lighting and physical barriers, along with access control should at least be part and parcel of all airport security measures, regardless of budget or size. In other words, careful planning will result in greater airport safety in areas where this is needed the most.