X
Government

Test of airport security fails in Slovakia using real explosives planted on passenger

Aviation executives are livid as a training exercise in Slovakia literately explodes with embarrassment within government security agencies. The BBC has reported that RTL Television in Slovakia reported a test of their security measures using passenger luggage without their knowledge
Written by Doug Hanchard, Contributor

Aviation executives are livid as a training exercise in Slovakia literally explodes with embarrassment for government security agencies. The BBC says RTL Television in Slovakia reported a test last weekend of Slovakian security measures - without their knowledge or consent - at the Bratislava Airport. It was implemented by placing 8 different types of contraband in passenger luggage including one with explosives. Seven of the items were found. But the last one containing the explosives was not, and was carried onward on-board a flight to Ireland. To make matters worse, no one from Slovakia alerted authorities in Ireland during the day of the exercise.

Imagine the surprise of the passenger that was carrying the explosives after Irish Police surrounded his flat, complete with a Bomb Explosives disposal team on the following Tuesday. The man was arrested and then later released.

As is stated in the BBC article;

Slovakian police alerted their Irish counterparts on Tuesday morning, and the man's flat near the city centre was cordoned off while bomb disposal experts removed the explosives for further examination.

The Slovakian minister for the interior had expressed his government's "profound regret" to Mr Ahern.

An Irish government spokesman said Mr Ahern has "ordered a full report into what has transpired".

Attempts to get comment from officials at airlines based in the U.K. and Ireland were unsuccessful. In a conversation with two other airline executives, one at Air Canada, the other with Delta Airlines, both condemned how passengers were used like laboratory test subjects. Delta's executive (who does not want to be identified) stated;

"I am not aware of this incident or type of training in the U.S. But as if we don't have enough problems as it is with an understandably, very irritated passengers- then this happens? It's unacceptable."

A senior executive who also does not want to be identified at Air Canada's commented;

"If this story is true, the public already lacks confidence in airport security, why would they even try this on passengers who are nervous flying, especially overseas and long distance flights.  In all my years of experience, this is without a doubt, the dumbest thing I have heard occur. The timing is incredibly idiotic!"

He went on to state;

 "Had we been notified about this kind of exercise, I would have said - not without telling our passengers you don't and I would strongly recommend against doing so in the first place. I would also ask why they don't use their own test subjects from the police force."

Irish officials, whom have extensive experience with terrorism, surely must be just as angry.

Editorial standards