Regional aviation body to re-inspect security gaps at Khartoum airport
January 24, 2016 (KHARTOUM) – An inspection team from the Arab Air Carriers Organization (AACO) would arrive in Khartoum for the second time in April to ensure that security gaps at Khartoum International Airport (KIA) have been addressed.
Well-informed sources told Sudan Tribune that the inspection team would arrive in Khartoum in Mid-April to ensure that security concerns reported by 13 member airlines of the AACO were addressed.
In a letter sent to Sudan’s minister of transportation Mekkawi Mohamed Awad, the AACO secretary general Abdel Wahab Teffaha asked the minister to interfere personally to resolve this issue, saying it would increase the security risks especially under the current situation in the Arab world.
“You are aware of the recent security problems in the region which saw the use of the civil aviation as a tool for terrorism and that requires all those concerned to exercise extreme caution,” Teffaha said.
Last October, a Russian passenger plane crashed early in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula, killing all 224 people aboard. Islamists militants in the Sinai linked to the Islamic State (ISIS) claimed responsibility for the crash.
On December 9 th, the AACO sent a letter to the Sudanese authorities warning against 22 security violations at KIA including that passengers are not inspected at the departure terminal and their carry on baggage is returned to them without being stamped.
He also added that airport employees enter restricted areas through the baggage carousel, pointing to existence of many entry points where employees are not subjected to any form of security screening.
The letter also mentioned that employees’ entry passes are not checked properly, saying airport authorities don’t confiscate excess liquids.
Last year, KIA security measures became a source of concern following the departure of dozens of college students to join ISIS.
(ST)