PAL ready to handle security threats

By EMMIE V. ABADILLA
November 6, 2010, 3:39pm
Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines — After the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand issued travel advisories urging their nationals to take extra precautions when travelling to Manila, Philippine Airlines (PAL) maintained it is always on ‘heightened alert status,’ implementing strict, round-the-clock security measures to ensure aircraft and passenger safety.

“With or without travel advisories by foreign governments, Philippine Airlines always maintains a robust security system to address all kinds of threats,” PAL President Jaime Bautista stressed.
PAL’s sophisticated security set-up, equipment and trained personnel complement the Philippine government’s own security systems in the country’s airport terminals. The flag carrier, which will celebrate its 70th anniversary next year, has a good safety track record.

As a legacy carrier, PAL deploys explosive detection dogs or ‘bomb-sniffing dogs’ in the pre-departure and arrival area of its home base at the NAIA Centennial Terminal 2. The dogs are from the Canine Unit of PAL’s Security Sub-Department.

PAL uses cargo X-ray machines in the cargo handling area in Manila and selected domestic stations. Regularly, it trains PAL security personnel in local and foreign training centers. It also implements the ‘Secure Flight Program,’ which requires PAL’s US-bound passengers to submit specific data for identification and validation purposes by the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and Department of Homeland Security.

In addition, the carrier coordinates closely with local and foreign security regulators and abides by their aviation security programs/protocols. Hence, it is ‘business as usual’ at PAL despite the negative travel advisories from foreign governments, Bautista underscored.

The airline’s safety measures are comparable to the safety standards being observed by other legacy carriers around the world. “The safety of our passengers is always our top priority. As the only full-service carrier in the country today, PAL puts premium on observing a safety and service culture, both in-flight and on ground,” he concluded.