?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.
