Qantas invests more than $100m in airport security

The Qantas Group said today it had spent more than $100 million on equipment and infrastructure to ensure it met the Australian Government’s 1 August 2007 deadline for domestic checked baggage screening, with Qantas Group General Manager Security, Geoff Askew, saying that Qantas had already invested in equipment and procedures for inline x-ray examination of checked baggage where it was the domestic terminal operator.

He said, “The new procedures will be in place at Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Brisbane and Perth airports by 1 August,” adding, “By December 2008, we will be undertaking x-ray explosive detection of checked baggage on Qantas Group aircraft at 36 airports across Australia.”

“Qantas is committed to investing in quality training, security awareness and the early adoption of the latest technology to ensure the Group complies with regulatory requirements, implements security measures commensurate with risks, and anticipates emerging threats and issues.”

Mr Askew said the Qantas Group had been at the forefront of aviation security for many years and continued to develop effective capabilities to identify, assess and manage security risks, adding, “We work with governments and industry operators around the world to ensure we provide the appropriate level of protection for passengers, employees and operations.”

Report by The Mole