Aviation and Airport

Baggage scanners at Bangkok airport paralyzed by computer virus
Suvarnabhumi airport in Thailand spent a lot of money to buy 26 GE CTX scanners to screen baggage; last night, 17 of them stopped working owing to a virus infection of the server
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Spain imposes new travel security regime
As of yesterday, Spain requires that Spain-bound travelers provide the same personal information and travael plans the U.S. has required since 2004; travel industry anxious
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Canada launches terrorist no-fly list today
The U.S. has about 45,000 names on its no-fly list; Canada has about 1,000 on a list launched today; Canadian transportation and security experts question list’s vale
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DHS moves to tighten control over small planes, recreational boats
The U.S. has invested billions of dollars in beefing up security of commercial airlines and freight containers; DHS is moving to monitor and impose security requirements on smaller vehicles
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U.S.-bound travelers to notify DHS of travel plans ahead of departure
DHS is tightening travel restirctions on travelers from visa waiver countires: They will have to file travel plans 48 hours before departure
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Russia approves shooting down hijacked planes without warning
The Russian government allows its security forces more lattitude in the fight against terror; hijacked planes or sea vessles may now be destroyed without warning
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MiSense requires airport redesign to be effective
Identity access and management tools may not only add security, but also reduce queues at airports — but there is a need to redsign the airports first
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New full-body scanner reveals hidden objects without embarassing passengers
EMIT introduces low-energy microwave full-body scanner which identifies hidden objects without offering an anatomically correct image of passengers’ bodies; technology suitable for civilian applications
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Experts urge more attention to screening baggage on airlines
Much attention has been paid, and large sums lavished, on screening airline passengers; much less has been dine on screening cargo; experts say this is unacceptable
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ReturnKey makes money helping travelers ship banned items
With the list of items banned from flights growing, a Texas company finds way to serve passengers who arrived at the airport with such items, and make money in the process
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Four New York-area airports install virtual fences
Virtual fences, consisting of heat, movement, and video sensors to detect and deter terrorists; experts debate efficacy
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Israel opens secret flight security operation center
Absorbing the lessons of 9/11, Israel opens a secret flight safety operation center which, together with other flight-related intelligence activities, promises to make it impossible for terorists to use planes as weapons
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Raytheon wins $16 million airport screening contract
Two Florida airports received assistance under TSA’s Screening Partnership Program
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Airline traveler satisfaction declines
Fight against liquids leads to longer wait times and customer unhappiness; baggage claim is the focus of discontent
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DHS continues the search for liquid explosives detection
Tests begin on ICx’s PaxPoint machine, but Sellex International presses hard with its Sencion alternative
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