JEDDAH, 28 March 2007 — Top civil aviation officials and security experts from across the world gathered in Jeddah for the Second International Arab Aviation Security Conference to make air flying a safer experience.
Prince Fahd ibn Abdullah inaugurated the conference on Monday night on behalf of the conference’s official sponsor, Crown Prince Sultan, deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is also sponsoring the event.
The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) is hosting the three-day conference with aims to discuss issues relating to aviation security under the theme “Let’s work together in facing security aviation threats.” Also attending the conference are officials from civil aviation bodies in both Arab and Islamic countries and companies that deal with airline security.
In his opening speech, Abdullah Al-Rehaimy, president of GACA, highlighted the importance of having safe and secure civil air transportation and its major effect on the development of civilization and the prosperity of societies.
His opening speech was followed by a speech delivered by Abdul Aziz Al-Naimi, president of the executive board of the Arab Civil Aviation Commission (ACAC), who called for united efforts to improve the overall current situation of international flying and to overcome obstacles in the way of reaching high levels of safety and security in the airline business.
Abdul Hameed Abalary, head of the executive committee and director of GACA, addressed the audience on the importance of sharing expertise.
At the end of the ceremony, Prince Fahd presented Assad Kotait, honorary president (emeritus) of ICAO, an award for his massive contributions in the history of the organization.
Gen. Mohammed F. Eid, a terrorism expert and professor at Naif Arab University for Security Sciences, opened yesterday’s sessions with a presentation on “Hijacking from a historical and legislative perspective.”
Eid called on the authorities to respect passengers’ rights and freedom while ensuring safety. He added that terrorists intimidate society to achieve their political goals and look for cheap ways to cause maximum impact.
Brig. Gen. Abdullah Kisnawi, airport security director at the Interior Ministry, highlighted that the fast development in technology has contributed in stopping threats. He added that the tactics and methods used in targeting the airline business are continuously evolving with new methods being introduced.
He also said it was necessary that employees, passengers and officials are made aware of the threat posed to the industry and the effects of terrorism.
Professor Michael Milde, former chief at the ICAO Legal Department, ex-director of the Aviation and Space Law Institute and current professor at McGill University in Canada, delivered a session on the legal management of aviation security after 9/11. He said 9/11 revealed considerable weaknesses in airline security. “Aviation security has considerably improved since 9/11, at a great cost to airlines and passengers,” he concluded.
