Moscow bomber raises airport security issues
The suicide bombing attack on Moscow’s Domodedovo International Airport that killed 35 and injured more than 100 has raised the question whether today’s security-conscious airports are safe from such attacks.
No, say some commentators.
The Gulliver column in The Economist quoted Wired’s Spencer Ackerman on what might have happened:
“The terrorist[s?] who carried out the Domodedovo attack have demonstrated that it’s not necessary to get an explosive on board an airplane to kill and injure lots of people and throw air travel into turmoil. That’s important to consider as the US Department of Homeland Security installs expensive and privacy-infringing ‘naked scanners’ at airport security gates and keeps traveler liquids off of flights,” he said.
He quoted another writer who said he had traveled frequently through the Moscow airport. The bomber apparently did not have to go through screening because he was in a baggage area where travelers often meet up with family and friends.
“Reports out of Moscow that I have seen indicate that the scanners and metal detectors were just turned off that day, with no one manning them. This is pretty common in Russian airports — if there’s no one to work the security at the front gate (which is not a security point required in the airlines’ contract with the airport, merely a voluntary safety effort on the part of the Russian state security services, from what I understand) they just don’t scan people.”
The Economist said details remain hazy but “whether or not the metal detectors were on, the bomber likely found a way to avoid them entirely.”
The bombing raises questions about the professionalism of counter-terrorism in Russia but also about what the US would do if faced with future bombings in crowded airports? What about the travelers gathering outside the rings of metal detectors and full body scanners? Would anyone just entering the airport have to be scanned? And even in that unlikely event, would not terrorists move on to trains, subways and malls?
“Stopping terrorists after they’ve made their plans and built their bombs is hard. That’s why good intelligence—both human and electronic—is so important. If you can stop bombers before they even leave for the airport, you’ll never have to worry about where to install your metal detectors,” said The Economist.
By David Wilkening
David
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
France prepares for a massive strike across all transports on September 18
Turkish tourism stalls due to soaring prices for accommodation and food
CCS Insight: eSIMs ready to take the travel world by storm
Germany new European Entry/Exit System limited to a single airport on October 12, 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt