Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) has noted online media reports on security screening and searching of passengers and appeals for co-operation with airport security personnel as they undertake this basic but essential part of aviation security.

According to ACSA spokesperson Ernest Malibana as passenger volumes steadily increase across their airport network, ACSA will continue to adhere to all internationally recognised standard operating procedures and comply with national aviation legislation and regulations that strive to ensure the security and safety of passengers.

Malibana said central to ACSA security protocols are random physical searches that are performed for all passengers after a certain number of people have passed a security search point at the airport terminal. These standard practices are in line with the security manual of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

Searches are designed to be conducted for all travellers, even when there is no trigger from the security checkpoint. As such, ACSA calls on all travellers to note that when being ushered through the screening process by airport security personnel, they may be required to remove any headgear including fixed religious and cultural headgear.

Moreover, Malibana said it is essential for all travellers to be aware these physical searches will be conducted with due sensitivity to recognised religious and cultural practices. This includes providing an appropriate space to conduct a physical search, should the passenger so prefer.

Malibana also said ACSA acknowledges that physical searches may cause discomfort to our passengers, and in view of this, the security personnel have been instructed to ensure that all searches are conducted in a respectful and courteous manner.

“We would like to categorically state that ACSA does not have any policies or procedures that discriminate against any passengers or airport users on the basis of gender, race, cultural beliefs, religion, or place of origin,” Group Executive for Enterprise Security, General Mzwandile Petros, said.

“South Africa is a constitutional democracy that accords equal regard to all individuals regardless of their faith, race, gender, or cultural background. ACSA, as a state-owned company, subscribes to all principles as espoused in the Constitution, which ensure a free and equal society.

“Furthermore, we are always ready to observe and defend the rights of all persons at the facilities we manage,” he said.

IOL