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From 2022, flight operations employees will be scrutinized more closely – against terrorism and crime.
It has already been checked who wanted to work at one of the Swiss airports. For the New Year, however, this review will be tightened. In addition to criminal records and curriculum vitae, it is now also checked whether someone is registered in a police or intelligence database. That’s what Christian Schubert from the Federal Office for Civil Aviation (Bazl) says.
Switzerland is thus aligning its security clearance with that of the European Union. All persons who have access to the security area of an airport are affected. “This includes pilots, cabin crew, IT managers at an airfield or cargo employees,” says Schubert.
The new regulation applies at all Swiss airports with international flights – i.e. in Geneva, in Lugano, in St. Gallen-Altenrhein, in Sion, in Bern and in Zurich. The airports themselves are responsible for implementing this security check.
Great effort for 23,000 employees
At Switzerland’s largest airport, this leads to considerable additional work, as Roman Frick, Head of Security at Zurich Airport, says. This is because information must now be obtained from the police and the intelligence service about all persons who receive an airport ID card. This currently affects around 23,000 employees. They all have access to the non-public airport area.
Legend:
In addition to the aircraft crew, the ground staff and cleaning staff are also affected by the security check.
Keystone
In order to be able to cope with the upcoming inspections, Zurich Airport has upgraded for the new year and hired new people. “In addition, the Zurich canton police, which do the checks for us, will need resources,” says Frick. But: Even if this new, more precise check means effort and costs, it is worth it.
Schubert and Frick recall a case six years ago when 33 employees in baggage handling at Geneva Airport had their access badges withdrawn because they were suspected of having become radicalized. Such cases are now to be prevented before employment at a Swiss airport.
Security is paramount
The majority of the airport staff members also like the new security check. Ultimately, safety in flight operations is upheld by everyone involved, says Thomas Steffen from the Aeropers pilots’ association. “We are therefore glad that everyone who has access to the security area is checked by a background check.”
The air traffic section of the VPOD is more critical. Union secretary Stefan Brülisauer is not fundamentally against the in-depth security review – but he sees dangers. There have already been cases in which employees have lost their access authorization and thus their job at the airport because of their religious background. He stressed that the new security check should not lead to discrimination.