PREAMBLE

Why does Aviation Security matter?

Secure air transport services enhance connectivity in trade, and promote political and cultural links between states. International air passenger traffic is expected to rise from 3.3bn people per year to 6 billion by 2030.

Aviation promotes economic growth. It is a critical enabler for economic progress. Security incidents may result in injury and loss of life, but they also affect confidence, disrupting travel and trade.

By ensuring the security of the civil aviation system, states establish public confidence and provide a strong foundation for trade and economic growth.

Aviation Security Matters.

INTRODUCTION

Unlawful interference; Acts of Sabotage, Unlawful Seizure of Aircraft, and the use of Civil Aircraft in terrorist attacks, were all overlooked by drafters of the Chicago Convention – the founding charter of the International Civil Aviation Authority – ICAO.

The convention was signed by 52 states in December 1944. In November 1944 German Rockets were landing on London.  The Americans had started the bombardment of Iwo Jima. In Europe, German forces launched an armoured strike through the Ardennes, Hitler hoping to reach Antwerp, and split Allied forces in Western Europe.

Against this backdrop of events, Unlawful Interference was simply not seen as a material threat.

This changed in the late 1960s, and by the early 1970s, aircraft hijacking had become a terrorist trademark, with 13 hijacking s taking place in 1973 alone.

ICAO took a leadership role and in 1974 published Annex 17 ‘Security’, a direct response to the evolving threats to civil aviation.

In this short presentation I will;

• Tell you a little about ICAO, and how it has helped the International Community respond to threats against Aviation
• Discuss the Threat
• Outline a path by which Iraq can work towards meeting all the requirements of ICAO in the future, and so gain direct flights to Europe and elsewhere.

THE ICAO RESPONSE TO INCREASING SECURITY CHALLENGES

ANNEX 17

A framework was needed to enhance aviation Security and ICAO developed aviation policies to meet this need. These policies are then reflected in Standards and Recommended Practices and are incorporated into 19 Technical Annexes.

Annex 17, ‘Security’, deals with Safeguarding International Civil Aviation against Acts of Unlawful Interference, and was a direct response to the growing threat of hijacking.

Annex 17 has been adopted in 6 languages, Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish, and is currently in its 10^th Edition.

The membership of ICAO has now grown from 52 to 192 member states.

Annex 17 of the Chicago Convention represent current best practice, globally, for the maintenance of high standards of Aviation Security.

To assist Member States in the implementation of Annex 17, ICAO publishes the Aviation Security Manual which provides guidance on the application of Standards and Recommended practices.

Main Strands to ICAO Work

There are three main strands to the work of ICAO;  (1) Policy Initiatives, (2) Audits and (2) Assistance.

The Aviation Security Policy Section monitors new threats and technical developments, and ensures Annex 17 and the Security Manual are kept up to date.

The Aviation Security Section conducts Audits against these ICAO Standards

ICAO also provides assistance to States where Audit identifies gaps and vulnerabilities.

THE THREAT

COMMON THREATS

Iraq faces many challenges. It faces challenges experienced by many modern nation states, from very ordinary crime, through corruption, to local disputes, and of course Terrorism, but Iraq does not have a monopoly on terrorism;

At Ataturk Airport in June 2016; 2 assailants approached the x-ray scanner at a security checkpoint and detonated IEDs they were carrying.  A third assailant also took part in the attack, which lasted only 90 seconds, but left 45 people dead and 230 injured.

In Brussels, on the 22^nd March 2016, 3 coordinated suicide bombings took place; two at the airport, and one at Maalbeek Metro station. 32 civilians were killed and more than 300 injured.

Aside from the loss of life, the economic impact was profound. The closure cost Brussels Airport $5.6m per day. This does not account for the financial losses suffered by airlines, those in the aviation support industry, or the indirect costs associated with disrupted trade flows, and a reduction in consumer confidence. ING Bank’s chief economist Peter Vanden Houte estimated the cost of the attacks would amount to 0.1% of Belgiums GDP, roughly $4.5bn USD.

These attacks demonstrate two things;

Firstly how attractive a target the aviation industry is. Attacks on civil aviation hubs are of great interest to the Media, and will always be broadly reported. Airports and the Civilian air transport network remain highly attractive targets for terrorists for the publicity attacks generate.

And secondly that Unlawful Interference with an Aircraft is not the only way in which terrorists can create fear and anxiety.

These attacks flagged the need to improve security systems prior to arrival at Aviation Security Screening, where travellers and non-travellers are mixed and often concentrated.

Security at these two airports now extends much further forward than the x-ray machines at the security checkpoints inside the terminals.

Layered Approach to Security at BIAP

This layered approach to security is an approach that G4S has been taking at the BIAP since we have held the security contract, and it is one of the reasons that the BIAP has not suffered a major security incident in all of that time, despite the unique threats that we face here, and despite the fact that IS has managed to launch successful attacks elsewhere.

UNIQUE THREATS

What is unique to Iraq, is that you have fought and defeated Islamic state, on behalf of the world, and at the cost of much human treasure.

Daesh may no longer hold significant territory in Iraq, but they, and those who are sympathetic to their aims and ideology, have not gone. Daesh are agile and they still present a grave terrorist threat.

Brussels is in the heart of Europe, a comparatively small country, with close and secure road links to neighbours. The closure of the airport still paralysed the city. Baghdad, by comparison is a long drive through difficult country to reach any of your major trading partners.

A serious incident at Baghdad airport is likely to cause international airlines to suspend flights until confidence in security is restored. The closure of Baghdad Airport would have a catastrophic effect on the Capital in terms of direct and immediate financial effects, but also more broadly on confidence and so on long term economic growth.

Maintaining credible and effective security at the airport is important to promote confidence in your public and in your trading partners, and to deter and defeat threats as they arise.

This is not an area to dabble, or to take a trial and error approach. You need a reliable, proven, capable and experienced partner to give you and those who use your airports the confidence they need to travel and to trade.

THE PATH TO ICAO COMPLIANCE

In November 2017 ICAO Published the GLOBAL AVIATION SECURITY PLAN

This plan addresses the needs of States and Industry in guiding Security improvement efforts through a set of agreed actions, tasks and targets.

This plan seeks 5 positive outcomes

• Enhance Risk Awareness and Response:
• Develop a Security Culture and Human Capability
• Improve Technology Resources and Innovation
• Improve Oversight and Quality Assurance
• Increasing Cooperation and Support

The plan sets out a roadmap which contains the Priority Actions, Specific Measures and Tasks, Indicators and targets required to coordinate aviation security activity by all stakeholders to enhance the level of security for all states.

1. Enhanced Risk Awareness and Response:

Understanding risk is essential to enable effective proportionate and sustainable policies to be written and implemented. Effective risk assessment will enable gaps and vulnerabilities to be identified, prioritised and addressed.

2. Developed Security Culture and Human Capability

The promotion of a security culture is essential to achieve effective security outcomes.  A Strong security culture must be developed from the top down, and across organisations. A well trained, well-motivated and professional workforce is critical for effective aviation security

3. Improved Technology Resources and innovation

Promoting and applying technology solutions and innovative techniques can provide the tools for enhancing security effectiveness, while promoting operational efficiency. The promotion of innovation requires a cultural shift, but the setting and making of consistent technical standards should be straightforward.

4. Improved Oversight and Quality Assurance

Effective quality control, audit and compliance nationally and locally are critical to delivering sustained effective aviation security. States need to conducts audits, undertake a gap analysis to identify where they are falling short of targets, and then develop and implement local and national plans to address gaps and vulnerabilities.

5. Increased Cooperation and Support

Increased Collaboration between and within States enables key security objectives to be achieved quickly and efficiently. States should engage with and contribute to ICAO and commit to effective implementation of standards.

The Path to Compliance – Summary

The Global Aviation Security Plan sets out a roadmap which contains the Priority Actions, Specific Measures and Tasks, Indicators and targets required to coordinate aviation security activity by all stakeholders to enhance the level of security for all states.

If you follow the Roadmap set out in the Global Aviation Security Plan, you will arrive at your desired destination, of achieving ICAO Compliant Security, which will in turn lead to the direct flights to the rest of the world that you all seek.

G4S SUPPORT TO ICAA

G4S has great expertise in Aviation Security.  We have been in the Aviation Security business for 25 years. We serve over 85 airlines, and have operations in more than 100 Airports worldwide.

G4S have held the Security Contract at BIAP since 2010. Between 2010 and 2017 we provided security for (and screened) more than 11 million passengers and provided security for more than 100,000 flights.

Without a single serious security breach – not one unlawful intervention

G4S have, in the past, written a National Civil Aviation Security Programme, and the Airport Security Programme.  We have provided input into various emergency plans, and we are here to assist with the National Quality Assurance Programme and the National Civil Aviation Security Training Programme.

We have supported you directly, joining representatives from the Ministry of Transports and Iraqi Airways in February 2017 on a visit to Sweden, to make a successful appeal against the ban on IAW flights.

But Primacy for Security rests with the State.

Extending Contract Duration to enable Investment

Although Primacy rests with the state, G4S can support the GoI with a programme of investment in equipment and in people, if GoI can award contracts of more than one year. This provides sufficient time and security of tenure to enable effective investment, and is in line with common practice elsewhere.

• 5+5 Schipol – Netherlands
• 5+2 Oslo – Norway
• 12 Months Baghad:  year on year, repeating

If GoI can contract with G4S for an extended period, beyond the current one year at a time, we will be able to provide much needed investment in equipment for you.

But Technology Alone Does not A Revolution Make: The most critical component of your Civil Aviation Security System is the operator who makes safety critical decisions – and we have excellent staff.

 G4S PERFORMANCE

G4S is not without critics. Every successful organisation attracts criticise from those who look on with envy, and we have an enviable track record – our performance speaks for itself.

During the 7 years that G4S have provide security here, passenger numbers have increased more than 200%, from 667,000 in 2010 to 2.1m in 2017,

Without a single serious security breach – not one unlawful  intervention.

Through the dark years of 2014 and after, with Daesh controlling much of Northern Iraq, and installed just outside Baghdad, G4S remained steadfast, keeping your airport open, maintaining confidence, and continuing to enable the safe flow of passengers.

Through those 7 years, despite the 200% increase in passengers, and despite Daesh on the doorstep, There has not been a single serious security breach.

G4S have a great track record of providing effective security at the BIAP.

CONCLUSION

Aviation promotes economic growth. It is a critical enabler for economic progress. Security incidents may result in injury and loss of life, but also affect confidence, disrupting travel and trade.

Enhancing Aviation Security brings financial benefits. The financial costs to States, airlines and other stakeholders of terror attacks and security breaches is significant.

• The attack in Brussels caused losses to the economy estimated at $4.5bn USD.
• The 9/11 attacks in the US cost the US Economy $2 trillion USD.

I cannot estimate the cost to Iraq of a closure of Baghdad International Airport, but it would be many multiples of the annual cost of security.

Government Officials have a duty to obtain the very best value for the Treasury and for the People of Iraq. As a supplier to your government, I can tell you they do an excellent job. But please, see expenditure on security as an enabling investment, a catalyst for growth, rather than as a sunk cost.

The first duty of a state is to provide security for its citizens.  John Ruskin broadened the obligation. “The First duty of a state is to see that every child born therein shall be well housed, clothed, fed and educated till it attains the years of discretion”

The money you invest in Aviation Security not only enables the state to meet the first obligation, of providing security to your citizens, it is also a genuine investment in the economic future of Iraq, economic growth that will help you to house, cloth feed and educate your children.

The additional trade generated, as a result of confidence in security in the Public Aviation Sector will support the economic revolution that is coming to Iraq.

By providing effective security at this and the other Civil Airports in Iraq, you are investing in the future of this wonderful country. It is my sincere wish that the economic success you will enjoy as a result, will help to bring you the PEACE, the PROSPERITY and the UNITY that you so richly deserve.