In the UK, there are approximately 5,500 flights every day. As a nation with a major global aviation hub, it’s essential that airports have rigid and reliable security measures in place to reduce the risk of terrorist threats, attacks, smuggling, theft, and unauthorised personnel access.
Read on to learn more about essential airport security systems and how they can ensure the safety of passengers, staff, cargo, and confidential information.
Why is airport security necessary?
Around 800,000 passengers travel through airports in the UK every day.
With such a high footfall, airports will always be high-risk areas where crimes are more likely and usually more severe in nature. In addition to handling passenger traffic flow, airports also need to manage the access of airport vehicles, which often carry valuable luggage and cargo.
Security at airports is critical because it prevents terrorist threats and thieves that can heavily impact passenger safety, as well as security breaches that could lead to financial losses.
Most importantly, airports must legally follow the strict security regulations set by the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and have a duty to protect all passengers, staff, and aircraft. This includes restricting unauthorised access using robust and secure perimeter controls.
What types of security measures are in use outside an airport?
From regional and commercial airports to large-scale international airports like Heathrow, all types of airports can (and must) have security measures to minimise risk.
While you may be well aware of the typical internal security solutions used to protect passengers — such as baggage screening, full-body scanners, and explosive trace detection systems — security measures outside the facility can act as a first line of defence.
Airport security fencing
Airports cover a lot of ground, and they’re even bigger when you consider the space required for loading/unloading, runways, and aircraft storage.
With this in mind, airports have a large perimeter, increasing the risk of breaches — from intruders on foot or in a vehicle. Usually, airports back onto unsuspecting fields and quiet roads, creating the ideal access point for an intruder to buy time and go unnoticed. This could pose a huge risk to staff and passenger safety and operations.
Thankfully, heavy-duty industrial fencing is a popular perimeter security solution for airports as it acts as a physical and psychological deterrent for opportunistic trespassers. Its galvanised steel construction is ideal for large, high-traffic, high-risk areas, and it’s also difficult to cut through or climb over when combined with barbed and razor wire toppings, rolling spike attachments, and anti-climb finishes.
Airport security barriers
In addition to managing passenger foot traffic, airports have to control vehicle traffic from a variety of specialist vehicles accessing high-risk areas. From baggage carts and fuel trucks to catering vans and passenger buses, it’s integral that only authorised personnel have access to even low-risk areas.
Automatic rising arm barriers are quick and motorised, providing smooth access to authorised vehicles attempting to access these locations. When combined with reliable access control systems, they provide a low-maintenance and efficient way to manage vehicle entry and exit.
Airport security gates
Designed for the most high-risk areas in an airport, including freight loading areas and anywhere providing direct access to aircraft, airport security gates are one of the most secure ways to protect an airport.
Pedestrian security gates can help minimise unauthorised access to restricted zones, such as aircraft hangars, maintenance zones, and runway areas. Whether for pedestrians or vehicles, we can install automatic security gates to match the height of any existing perimeter security solutions, ensuring a strong and foreboding physical deterrent.
These gates are available in bespoke sizes and widths to minimise access points around the entire facility. Manufactured using aluminium and heavy-duty steel, airport security gates are designed with everyday use and high traffic in mind. They are highly durable, with minimal maintenance and stellar weather resistance.
When combined with an access control system, airports can benefit from an all-round security measure, utilising the option to grant or deny access using an entry method of choice:
- Cards
- Key fobs
- Audio intercom (with or without video)
- Keypad
- Vehicle safety induction loops
- Photocell control sensors
- Coins/tokens
Airport security gates can also be interfaced with new or existing CCTV systems for fully integrated security and surveillance.
Airport road blockers and bollards
In the event of a vehicle perimeter breach or to prevent trespassers, road blockers and rising bollards are excellent physical security measures to have in place.
With the ability to be raised and lowered in just 3 – 5 seconds with electric, hydraulic, or pneumatic systems, blockers and bollards can stop the offending vehicle in its tracks effectively and quickly.
Airport road blockers and bollards can last up to 30 years with their robust steel construction, providing airports with an excellent security measure that they can rely on for decades.
Get a quote for a bespoke airport security system
At Security Solutions, our team has provided high-risk facilities with reliable security measures since 2003.
No matter your airport security requirements, our in-house design and manufacturing team will take the time to understand your needs and deliver a bespoke solution that perfectly fits your facility and security goals.
We also offer service and maintenance contracts on all our security products, ensuring the safety of your facility is never compromised in the event of a breakdown. With 24/7 customer service and professional site engineers on hand, we can cover repairs, replacements, and upgrades to ensure your airport security stays strong.
Airport security should never be compromised. Contact our team today for more information or if you have any questions.