Terrorists may attack virtually the entire infrastructure of modern society, but means of communications, including transport, are the most vulnerable elements. Acts of terror on air routes have hit many countries. Russia has not been spared. In the spring of 1991, a terrorist waving a grenade tried to hijack an AN-24 flying along the Arkhangelsk-Kotlas-Leningrad route and force it to go to another country. A special operation was mounted and freed the hostages. Five years later, a Nigerian attempted to hijack an Aeroflot airliner on its way from Moscow to Lagos. He burst into the cockpit and, threatening the pilots with a knife, demanded that it land in Algiers. However, he was overpowered and handed over to Nigerian authorities. Three Chechen terrorists who hijacked a Vnukovo Air Lines Tu-154 committed another act of piracy. They forced the jet to land at Medina airport, but there local commandos freed the passengers and crew. The two criminals that survived the operation were tried and convicted by the Saudi Arabia authorities.
In view of increased terrorism on air transport, enhanced security measures have been adopted on all of Russia's approximately 7,000 aircraft. This is a joint operation conducted by the police, the Federal Security Service (FSB) and the customs authorities. A strict pass system has been introduced at all airports. Passengers, flight crews and cabin and check-in luggage are now inspected more thoroughly. An "electronic search" using the automated Sirena system has been introduced as a preventive measure against terrorist suspects to identify and detain them in transport flows.
The problem of detecting explosives, including plastic explosives, remains critical. To ensure passenger safety and stop weapons, explosives and other harmful articles getting aboard, additional supplies of inspection facilities to Russian airports will be needed, including 900 sets of X-ray and television introscopes worth $80 million. The purchase of special facilities for passenger and cargo inspection is the most expensive item, calling for federal budget support totalling 690 million roubles.
Another problem is how to equip Russian aircraft with devices preventing unauthorised access to the cockpit and interference with the crew. FSB technical specialists will pay particular attention to Israel's experience in this field, as the Israelis are considered to have some of the most effective measures in place.
Russian Transport Minister Igor Levitin, who chairs the state commission investigating the August 24 air disasters, has said that the Transport Ministry and the Interior Ministry have signed a joint decision on organisational measures to ensure air security. Under the decision, transport police officers are to be included in inspection groups at civil airports. In addition, Mr Levitin noted, the Transport Ministry will now request airlines to include passport details in tickets for domestic flights as well.
The minister said that all airlines would soon be requested to unify the information on tickets. He also recommended updating the relevant legislation. According to him, immediate amendments to the Air Codes and the Law on the Police need to be made to improve air safety. Before the end of this year, Russian parliamentarians are expected to adopt a law on transport safety and a special law on air safety.
Mr Levitin paid particular attention to psychological training for airport personnel. "People concerned with safety," the minister stressed, "should be good psychologists to spot suspect passengers."
