AOA Conference May 2015 in Durham

Borders & Coastguard Officer together with Gibraltar Officials at Airport

Operators Association Aviation Security Conference

Officials from the Gibraltar Borders and Coastguard Agency and the Gibraltar International

Airport together with the government’s Director of Civil Aviation, recently attended the 2015

Airport Operators Association (AOA) Aviation Security Conference in Durham, United Kingdom.

Over 90 people from Agencies connected to Aviation Security from across the United Kingdom

attended the two day event.

This year’s conference featured speakers who engaged attendees with a variety of topics,

ranging from threats to aviation security including explosive trace detection, to advanced cabin

baggage systems. Comprised of seasoned and emerging security professionals, the speakers

discussed issues which affect UK airports on a daily basis as well as technological advances in

the world of aviation security.

Founded in 1934, the Airport Operators Association is the national voice of UK airports. They

are a trade association representing the interests of UK airports and the principal body engaging

with the UK Government and Regulatory Authorities on airport matters.

The AOA’s members include over 50 airports and more than 150 Associate Members, made up

of organisations representing a wide range within the aviation industry. Working on behalf of

these members, the AOA’s mission is to influence governments, regulators and opinion formers

at national and international level, in order to secure the policy outcomes that will deliver its

vision. This includes playing a leading role in security, economic development, operations and

safety and environmental sustainability issues.

Gibraltar attendees to this conference were Stephen Perez from the Borders and Coastguard

Agency along with Terence Lopez and Clive Baker from the Gibraltar International Airport and

the government’s Director of Civil Aviation Chris Purkiss,

“It is vital that as we continue to aim to keep up with international best practice in the security

field, we engage with other security professionals and are updated of the latest policies and

technology, it also gives us a great opportunity to network and exchange ideas. I am confident

that my officers prove to be great ambassadors for the Agency and indeed Gibraltar at these

important events.” said Andrew Bonfante the Chief Executive of the Borders and Coastguard

Agency.