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Kai Tak Airport: Security Procedures
Hold Baggage Screening. The Kai Tak Airport administration is committed to the screening of
the screening of all hold baggage and hold baggage on BA, Cathay Pacific and flights by all but a few regional airlines is already screened by x-ray. X-ray equipment is situated behind check-in desks FISCAN x-ray equipment straddles the conveyor belts. X-ray equipment and security staff are deployed by Securair under contract to the AOC. Equipment, comprises modern FISCAN machines, and some old high dose machines which are being replaced. A plan to deploy a further 103 FISCAN X-ray units is under consideration. The FISCAN equipment provides for operators to view the contents of bags simultaneously in both colour and monochrome. Bags which are rejected are searched by hand. AEGIS equipment is also available. When I observed the procedure staff were attentive to the screens and seemingly well motivated. It was pointed out that they were also looking for dangerous goods (perhaps a reflection that they are contracted by the AOA). Passengers are not questioned about the ownership, contents or custody of their bags: and this is reasonable, as the bags are screened.
12. Hold Baggage: Accountability and Protection. Baggage which will be transported by BA is handled by JASL. Out of gauge or excess baggage, or baggage checked in early for flights is placed on trolleys attended by security staff on the concourse. A new facility to accept this baggage is about to be opened. Baggage is placed into containers in the baggage make-up area in the terminal building (BA operate only wide bodied aircraft at Hong Kong) and these are transported to the aircraft in the custody of JASC staff. At the point bags are placed into the container the registration number on the label is recorded on a pro-forma, This is to provide a record of the location of bags, and to facilitate their recovery should the passenger who checked them in fails to board the aircraft. (The procedure appeared to be labour intensive but sound - however on returning to the UK my bag was transported on another flight; a matter reported to BA under separate cover). The procedures I saw reasonably met the requirements prescribed by the Department. Securair staff patrol the baggage make-up area.
13. Control of Baggage Labels. Particular attention is given to the control of baggage labels at Kai Tak. This is in the interests of security and also to prevent people transporting excess baggage. The Airport Security Sub-Committee monitors the security of baggage labels and addresses reports of deficiencies. Care has had to be taken to prevent people "consolidating" baggage, that is seeking to have passengers transporting less than their permitted volume check in baggage for those who have
an excess.
14. Transfer and Rush Bags.
All hold baggage, including transfer and rush baggage is screened by x-ray. I visited the area in which transfer baggage is handled. It was attended by Customs Officers, and Securair staff who undertook the screening. I saw bags for BA flights in the area. The location is within the restricted area, and is distinctly operational, with containers lined up to accommodate bags for forthcoming flights.
RESTRICTED
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