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Airports Company South Africa is not considering the introduction of
full body scanners at the country's airports at this stage, although it
will do so if ordered to by the SA Civil Aviation Authority.
"Passengers travelling through an Acsa airport in the immediate
future can therefore expect the exact same procedures, vigilance and
commitment to safety and security as was the case last week and last
month," the company's spokeswoman, Nicky Knapp, said on Monday.
Security measures at airports across the world have been
stepped up since a thwarted Christmas Day terrorist attack aboard a
plane heading to the US.
On December 25, a Nigerian man, allegedly linked to Al-Qaeda,
smuggled explosives onboard and tried to detonate them before being
overpowered by passengers and crew on the NorthWest airline flight
travelling from Schipol Airport in Amsterdam towards Detroit.
The US Transport Security Administration consequently issued a
worldwide security directive requesting the increased pre-screening of
passengers both prior to departure, as well as on board for flights
destined for the US.
Security control points at South Africa's airports are
currently equipped with archway metal detectors and X-ray machines and
manned by security personnel.
Knapp said Acsa has a comprehensive security plan in place
across its network of 10 airports to keep passengers, airport users and
airport staff safe.
"Acsa also continues to work closely with its security partners - including the SA Police Service, the National Intelligence Agency,
private security contractors, Immigration, Border Police and Customs -
and the airlines to ensure the safety and security of its airports."
Knapp said the SA Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA), the body
which regulated Acsa's safety and security measures in line with
international standards, had not instructed it to introduce any new
security measures at its airports.
"Should the SACAA issue any directive in this regard, Acsa would most certainly comply and implement such directive."
Knapp recommended that passengers travelling over the next few
weeks arrived earlier for check-in and that they also phoned their
airline to find out if any new security measures were being put in
place.
Acsa has a 24-hour help desk which can be reached on 011-921-6262 for any information about airlines or arrival times.
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