Shannon boosts its security team to enhance airport experience

Shannon Airport has expanded its airport security team to bolster its commitment to improving passenger flows and enhancing the airport experience for visitors, particularly during the busy summer months.

A total of nine new recruits have received their official certificates after completing an intense training course in airport security.

The new Airport Screening Unit (ASU) officers have undergone training, which includes how to operate the airport’s multimillion euro state-of-the-art 3D x-ray screening system.

The high-tech system has in-built explosive detection software, that eliminates the need for passengers to separate liquids and electronics from their cabin bags. Shannon is the first state airport to introduce this new technology which halves the time spent going through screening.

Since March this year, the airport has recruited a total of 19 ASU officers to add to its existing team. The new recruits hail from Limerick, Clare, Galway, Lithuania, Poland, and as far away as Bangladesh and New Zealand.

Welcoming the latest nine recruits to the team, Shannon Airport’s head of security, John Francis, said: “We are committed to making our passenger’s journey at Shannon Airport, as easy as possible.

“The new recruits have undergone intensive training in all aspects of airport security to prepare them for this extremely important role, as we continue to invest in our screening process.

“Our team work across the unit, from greeting passengers and checking boarding cards, to analysing x-rays of baggage on our highly advanced system and guiding passengers as they begin to go through the security process.

“They also work with our colleagues from US Pre-Clearance, at our combined US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) check point system. Shannon is the only airport in the world to operate this combined US/EU checkpoint system, again eliminating an additional step in our passengers’ journey.”

The newly certified officers have been put through their paces during the training process, which includes both classroom based and practical learning, followed by final examinations and certification by the Irish Aviation Authority.

ASU training covers a wide range of areas including, hand search of cabin baggage and of the person, screening of vehicles, identifying prohibited items, screening inflight and airport supplies, as well as customer service, reduced mobility, and familiarisation training in the airport’s special needs programme.