Karachi airport authorities urged to ease restrictions, adopt new tech

• This approach "may not" directly contribute to enhancing security.
• Security protocols should focus on passenger safety, says CAOP.
• CAOP chairman recommends exploring advanced security tech.

KARACHI: The Civil Aviation Officers Association of Pakistan (CAOP) has urged authorities at the Karachi airport to review their recent imposition of additional security restrictions, recommending instead the adoption of advanced technology to strengthen security.

Following a deadly attack on a Chinese convoy, which killed at least two Chinese nationals and injured several others nearby, the airport authorities have asked visitors to bring along additional documents, while also blocking a road leading to the airport and setting up checkpoints on other routes.

The airport authorities have asked visitors seeing off or receiving passengers to present a ticket copy and their national identity card.

At the same time, the road from Model Colony to Jinnah Terminal has been blocked, while checkpoints have been set up on routes from Pehlwan Goth and Star Gate, adding to the challenges for commuters already dealing with severe traffic congestion.

In his letter to the Pakistan Airport Authority's Director Vigilance, CAOP Chairman Zarin Gul Durrani said that while he fully supports strengthening airport security, he believes that these measures may unintentionally complicate the experience for passengers and their accompanying family and friends.

Security protocols, he said, should primarily focus on passenger safety without imposing unnecessary restrictions.

"The current approach, which places additional requirements on those coming to receive or send off passengers, may not directly contribute to enhancing security but instead add inconvenience to regular visitors."

It, Zaman said, would be beneficial to focus security efforts more narrowly, ensuring that they target individuals who may pose an actual risk to airport security.

He recommended exploring advanced security technologies, such as CCTV surveillance, biometric scanners, and AI-based threat detection systems to beef up security "without imposing extra constraints on passengers and their families".

The CAOP chief said the modern tools could significantly enhance the airport security while keeping the process seamless for passengers and their greeters.

He also stressed on security staff’s high-level training for proper handling of potential threats.

"Additionally, training security personnel to handle and respond to potential threats effectively is crucial. Empowering the security staff with advanced training will help ensure they are fully prepared for any unforeseen situations, further bolstering passenger safety," he maintained.