The security of an airport is an important factor to be looked upon once it has been constructed. This is one place where the reputation starts to build up for any nation and therefore it should be of outmost importance. Because of the wide variety and scope of GA aircraft and landing locations, any approach to implementing security guidelines must think about the various types of flight operations as well as the size of aircraft concerned, among other factors. Therefore, an elastic, common-sense approach to airport safety is important if the industry is to retain its financial strength.
Landside is the area that is not part of the airside area. The basic consideration of the security in that area is in which airport it lies in the idea behind this is that certain characteristics affect the security of an airport much more than the others. And the main categories are
Airport location
Based Aircraft
Runways
Operations
The major distinction lies that some of the airports are for public use and others are private use but factors mentioned above affect both kinds. The location of the airport is very important; an area that has huge population around it makes it more vulnerable towards the security threats. The further away is the airport from the inner city the greater time for the response agencies to work on it. (Security Guidelines for Airports, 2004)
A smaller number of based aircrafts increases the likelihood that illegal activities would be identified more quickly that at airports with a large number of based aircrafts.
The runways are very important factor when preparing for the security. The airports with longer runways can handle much larger aircrafts and therefore are more prone to security attacks. Moreover, unpaved runways are not operational in all weather conditions therefore are not attractive for the terrorist activities. And finally the number and types of operations conducted at the airports require
References: James, M. (2009, April 24). Airport Security Systems. Retrieved May 18, 2010, from http://ezinearticles.com/?Airport-Security-Systems&id=2263141 Livits, I. (May 03, 2010). Improving Airport Security: Practical Guidelines . In South Asia Analysis Group. Retrieved May 18, 2010, from http://www.southasiaanalysis.org/%5Cpapers38%5Cpaper3792.html. Undefined. (May 2004) Security Guidelines for General Aviation Airports. Retrieved May 18, 2010, from http://www.tsa.gov/assets/pdf/security_guidelines_for_general_aviation_airports.pdf Undefined. (January 26, 2010). Explosives Detection Gaps - Aviation Security Vulnerabilities to Terrorist Attacks. In Airline News Resource. Retrieved May 18, 2010, from http://www.airlinenewsresource.com/article43344.html.