‘Predictable security the biggest threat to safety’

Predictable airport security – regardless of how good it is – could possibly be the biggest threat to safety, according to David Fielder, chairman of the Fiata advisory body on security matters. As most human reaction is virtually impossible to predict, the unknown element has become the biggest weapon in the fight against terrorism, he told FTW. “Embracing risk could reduce the hassle of today’s airports while making it safer at the same time. Predictability is deadly because everyone knows what to expect and the chance to evade the system becomes greater. The moment you randomise security it becomes safer.” Fielder said the intensity of aviation security worldwide had drastically increased throughout the years. “In the midst of securing flights, we have incurred additional costs, created much confusion, instilled unnecessary fear and developed additional security layers.”