NEW SECURITY REGULATIONS TAKE EFFECT AT MAURICE BISHOP INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

ST. GEORGE’S, DECEMBER 31st, 2009 -- Passengers using the Maurice Bishop International Airport (MBIA) have already begun to experience new security arrangements which were implemented this week following a Christmas day terrorist attack on a United States airline.

The new measures follow a meeting of representatives of Grenada’s Ministry of National Security, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Grenada Airports Authority, the Royal Grenada Police Force and airlines with international flights, earlier this week to discuss the new guidelines.
The meeting came in the wake of new security guidelines from the United States Department of Homeland Security for airline operators, foreign carriers and airports, following a terrorist attack on a US bound transatlantic flight on Christmas day, 2009.

“Grenada, as will all other ports which provide access to US destinations, must approach these security obligations with the level of seriousness that will meet the new standards and protect our reputation as a security conscious and safe port of entry and exit,” according to the Ministry of National Security.

The new security measures stipulate that aircraft operators or authorized air carrier representatives must ensure all passengers are screened at the boarding gate during the boarding process using a new set of procedures. These procedures are in addition to the screening of all passengers at the screening checkpoint.

Under the new rules security agents must perform a thorough pat-down of all passengers at the boarding gate prior to boarding, concentrating on upper legs and torso; and must physically inspect 100 percent of all passenger-accessible property at the boarding gate prior to boarding, with focus on syringes being transported, along with powders and/or liquids.

Agents must also strictly adhere to all restrictions on liquids, aerosols, and gels. The only persons who may be exempted from these new regulations are Heads of State and/or Heads of Government. These and other measures affecting passenger’s activities on board the aircraft will be outlined to passengers by the flight attendants