Following this week's thwarted terror attack on a flight from Amsterdam to Detroit, officials across Europe are debating airport security standards. What, politicians and police are asking, can be done to stop the next Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab from boarding a trans-Atlantic flight? Over the Christmas holiday, Nigerian national Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab attempted to ignite an explosive device onboard a Northwest Airlines flight from Amsterdam to Detroit. Luckily, a combination of factors -- the explosive device did not light properly, Abdulmutallab was overpowered by passengers and cabin crew -- meant that the would-be terrorist failed. The plane, carrying around 300 passengers, landed safely and police detained the 23-year-old suspect, who will be prosecuted in the US. The aftermath of the incident has seen security services in all the countries the suspect entered asking themselves: How did he get through airport security? "That is clearly an extremely serious incident," European Commission spokesperson Mark English told the German news agency DPA. "As soon as the investigations are complete, we will draw our own conclusions and act accordingly."
Over the Christmas holiday, Nigerian national Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab attempted to ignite an explosive device onboard a Northwest Airlines flight from Amsterdam to Detroit. Luckily, a combination of factors -- the explosive device did not light properly, Abdulmutallab was overpowered by passengers and cabin crew -- meant that the would-be terrorist failed. The plane, carrying around 300 passengers, landed safely and police detained the 23-year-old suspect, who will be prosecuted in the US. The aftermath of the incident has seen security services in all the countries the suspect entered asking themselves: How did he get through airport security?
"That is clearly an extremely serious incident," European Commission spokesperson Mark English told the German news agency DPA. "As soon as the investigations are complete, we will draw our own conclusions and act accordingly."
Amsterdam airport is not using the 17 special security equiptment it has had since 2007. A millimetre wave scan would have detected the explosive powder Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab set off on board Northwest flight 253 to Detroit on Friday. The radio waves scan people's bodies and reveal anything they wear underneath their clothes. The millimetre wave technology security scans are still in the test phase, Schiphol spokesperson Mirjam Snoerwang told NRC Handelsblad. "European regulations tell us we can only put people through them on a voluntary basis. And objections have been raised with regards to privacy," she said. Citing anonymous FBI sources, American media said Abdulmutallab carried 80 grammes of pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN), possibly inside a condom, in his underwear. PETN was also used by Richard Reid, known as `the shoe bomber', in an unsuccessful attempt to blow up an American Airlines airplane from Paris to Miami in December 2001.
The millimetre wave technology security scans are still in the test phase, Schiphol spokesperson Mirjam Snoerwang told NRC Handelsblad. "European regulations tell us we can only put people through them on a voluntary basis. And objections have been raised with regards to privacy," she said.
Citing anonymous FBI sources, American media said Abdulmutallab carried 80 grammes of pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN), possibly inside a condom, in his underwear. PETN was also used by Richard Reid, known as `the shoe bomber', in an unsuccessful attempt to blow up an American Airlines airplane from Paris to Miami in December 2001.
Europeans flying to US airports in the wake of the failed Christmas Day aeroplane bomb attempt are facing minor disruptions due to extra security measures. Travellers have reported delays of between one and two hours following the introduction of full body searches for all passengers and more stringent checks on hand-luggage, especially liquids, such as baby milk. Some airlines have prevented passengers from carrying any more than one bag on board, including duty-free purchases.
Travellers have reported delays of between one and two hours following the introduction of full body searches for all passengers and more stringent checks on hand-luggage, especially liquids, such as baby milk.
Some airlines have prevented passengers from carrying any more than one bag on board, including duty-free purchases.
