In the wake of Tuesday’s deadly terrorist attacks in Brussels, employees at Copenhagen Airport have requested a meeting with airport security and police to discuss safety.
“In the light of these events, we invite airport security and police at the airport to come and talk with our our shop stewards about the situation,” Henrik Bay-Clausen, chairman of the union 3F Kastrup told Avisen.dk. “There should be a direct dialogue so that we have an understanding of what the airport is and is not doing.”
3F represents airport staff in several areas, including catering, fire and rescue, baggage and transport.
Check-in vulnerable
The first two explosions in yesterday’s terror attacks were detonated in the check-in areas at Zaventem Airport just outside of Brussels.
“The last time there was a bomb threat at Copenhagen Airport, we wondered why all passengers were evacuated, but employees were left standing behind drywall,” said Bay-Clausen. “I do not know if that was because a safe distance had been determined, but we were surprised.”
Tuesday’s attacks in Brussels illustrated that the check-in area, which is not usually subject to extensive security checks and scans, is a difficult point for airport security.
Lessons learned
At Copenhagen Airport, many of the employees who check tickets, baggage and passengers are members of the capital region of the HK Service Capital. Union president René Knudsen, said that he also expects Copenhagen Airport to evaluate its safety measures.
“Every time there is an attack, security measures should be evaluated,” said Knudsen. “If we can learn something from the attacks in Brussels, we must do so.”
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Copenhagen Airport declined to comment on the union’s request for safety meetings, and defers all questions regarding security to the police.
“If a union wants to meet with the police, they are welcome to contact us,” said Copenhagen Police deputy police inspector Henrik Møller Jacobsen.
