Ireland’s Shannon Airport has added nine new recruits to its security team following their completion of an airport security course.
The new airport screening unit (ASU) officers have undergone training in how to operate the airport’s multimillion euro 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 Irish 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 recruits, Shannon Airport head of security John Francis said, “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.”
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.
Image: Shannon Airport
