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Centennial upgrades security to prevent attack
In the five years since Sept. 11, 2001, the airline industry has been shaken by thwarted bombing plots, bankruptcy and the constant threat of another terrorist attack.
By Chris Michlewicz:
In the five years since Sept. 11, 2001, the airline industry has been shaken by thwarted bombing plots, bankruptcy and the constant threat of another terrorist attack.
The far-reaching impacts have resulted in a renewed focus to increase security and vigilance at several Colorado airfields, including Englewood-based Centennial Airport, the second busiest general aviation airport in the country.
Without any federal funding, Centennial officials have upgraded video surveillance, gate security and created a neighborhood watch-like team of spotters for suspicious activity, said Lorie Hinton, assistant airport director at Centennial.
Since the attacks, Centennial has put up a fence around the airport and strengthened high-security gates at vehicle access points to prevent security breaches. The large gates have replaced a wooden arm that would let motorists with a clearance badge into the airport.
Day-to-day operations at the airport have not changed significantly, but regular visitors, like pilots, airport personnel and business owners, have been asked to maintain a heightened state of awareness and report suspicious activity, Hinton said. Centennial has a comprehensive security plan that details specific duties and protocol during an emergency situation. The plan was created by the Transportation Security Administration, which handles passengers and personnel at major airports.
Fixed-base operators, companies that service aircraft at Centennial, are responsible for installing alarm systems in airplane hangars since Sept. 11. The airport has a security staff and uses deputies from the Douglas County Sheriff's Office and Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office to respond to emergencies and alarms.
Following the attacks, Centennial was also required to adhere to specific rules set by the Federal Aviation Administration, including a provision to build a security fence around the control tower to prevent attacks by vehicle, Hinton said.
The aviation hub has benefited from an increase in charter and business flight traffic because there are now more people who choose not to fly commercially, Hinton said. Charter companies must have their own TSA-approved security plan in place and check luggage for all passengers.
Commercial airports have received large sums of federal money to upgrade security in several areas, but general aviation airports have been left to raise their own funds. Centennial temporarily increased a fuel flowage fee and used money generated from airport operations to help pay for improvements, Hinton said.
Hinton was on duty when terrorists attacked the World Trade Center, Pentagon and Flight 93.
"It was an eerie silence. I've never been at the airport when the airspace was closed. It was very unusual to have nothing going on," she said, adding Centennial had a good plan in place prior to the attacks.
Centennial was on high alert when the FAA grounded every plane in the air. When it re-opened, only certain types of aircraft were permitted to take off and land. Airport officials were charged with disseminating information concerning pilot clearance and safety precautions.
Centennial has made a few policy changes, including provisions to restrict public access to the airport. Other changes could not be divulged because of security reasons.
"People used to come out and take pictures, but now people need to stay outside the fence. They will be questioned if they are found taking pictures," Hinton said. "We have to have more vigilance."
The far-reaching impacts have resulted in a renewed focus to increase security and vigilance at several Colorado airfields, including Englewood-based Centennial Airport, the second busiest general aviation airport in the country.
Without any federal funding, Centennial officials have upgraded video surveillance, gate security and created a neighborhood watch-like team of spotters for suspicious activity, said Lorie Hinton, assistant airport director at Centennial.
Since the attacks, Centennial has put up a fence around the airport and strengthened high-security gates at vehicle access points to prevent security breaches. The large gates have replaced a wooden arm that would let motorists with a clearance badge into the airport.
Day-to-day operations at the airport have not changed significantly, but regular visitors, like pilots, airport personnel and business owners, have been asked to maintain a heightened state of awareness and report suspicious activity, Hinton said. Centennial has a comprehensive security plan that details specific duties and protocol during an emergency situation. The plan was created by the Transportation Security Administration, which handles passengers and personnel at major airports.
Fixed-base operators, companies that service aircraft at Centennial, are responsible for installing alarm systems in airplane hangars since Sept. 11. The airport has a security staff and uses deputies from the Douglas County Sheriff's Office and Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office to respond to emergencies and alarms.
Following the attacks, Centennial was also required to adhere to specific rules set by the Federal Aviation Administration, including a provision to build a security fence around the control tower to prevent attacks by vehicle, Hinton said.
The aviation hub has benefited from an increase in charter and business flight traffic because there are now more people who choose not to fly commercially, Hinton said. Charter companies must have their own TSA-approved security plan in place and check luggage for all passengers.
Commercial airports have received large sums of federal money to upgrade security in several areas, but general aviation airports have been left to raise their own funds. Centennial temporarily increased a fuel flowage fee and used money generated from airport operations to help pay for improvements, Hinton said.
Hinton was on duty when terrorists attacked the World Trade Center, Pentagon and Flight 93.
"It was an eerie silence. I've never been at the airport when the airspace was closed. It was very unusual to have nothing going on," she said, adding Centennial had a good plan in place prior to the attacks.
Centennial was on high alert when the FAA grounded every plane in the air. When it re-opened, only certain types of aircraft were permitted to take off and land. Airport officials were charged with disseminating information concerning pilot clearance and safety precautions.
Centennial has made a few policy changes, including provisions to restrict public access to the airport. Other changes could not be divulged because of security reasons.
"People used to come out and take pictures, but now people need to stay outside the fence. They will be questioned if they are found taking pictures," Hinton said. "We have to have more vigilance."
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