New Security Directive in Force

New regulations under the European parliament and council directive on joint civil aviation security came into force in January 2003. The directive also includes 100 percent security checks of cargo hold luggage.

In order to comply with the directive, the CAA has had to expand and modify various premises and recruit extra security personnel at all airports. New baggage conveyance systems and x-ray machines have also been installed at airports. These measures were already completed the year before, at a cost of 26 million euros. The annual cost of the extra security inspections will amount to about 12 million euros.

The directive required EU member states to overhaul their national civil aviation security programmes, national security training programmes and quality control programmes for assessing the effectiveness of security measures. The directive seeks to make security standards and practice as consistent as possible throughout the EU.