Aviation security

Abstract

To attract international attention some terrorist groups use civil aviation as a target for violent attacks to spread their message. The response to these violent incidents is the implementation of a series of security measures. Aviation security has been present long before the catastrophic incidents of 9/11. The unexpected use of hijacked planes as lethal projectiles compelled aviation institutions to employ radical security changes. As time goes by, the efficiency of security systems is constantly being evaluated and upgraded to help avoid the repetition of past incidents and anticipate future attempted attacks. However, it is very difficult to indicate whether these systems are pre-empting threats and saving lives, or whether they are economically feasible. More often than not, the general public ignores the serenity and comfort obtained when security measures run efficiently, but they immediately become aware of the occasional failures of such systems when these occur.