Overview of the terrorist attacks
The terror attack on Istanbul’s Atatürk Airport occurred on 28 June 2016, when a group of three suicide bombers opened fire on travelers in the international arrivals hall and then detonated their explosives. The attack, which was carried out by militants from the extremist group Islamic State (IS), resulted in the deaths of 44 people, most of them Turkish citizens, and injured more than 200 others.
Since the beginning of 2016, the airport located in the western suburbs of Istanbul has witnessed a series of terror attacks. On Sunday 13 March 2016, an explosion occurred near the international arrivals hall, which killed a cleks security guard and injured four other people. The attack was attributed to a group of militants belonging to the Kurdistan Freedom Hawks (TAK), a radical organization affiliated with the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK).
A week later, another blast occurred at the same location, this time near the main terminal. The attack which killed one person and injured another five was attributed to a female Kurdish suicide bomber. TAK later claimed responsibility for the attack. On Sunday 17 April 2016, two bombs exploded at the terminal, killing one person and injuring several others. Again, TAK was identified as the organization responsible for the attack.
Background to the terrorist attacks
The terror attacks on Atatürk Airport, located in Turkey’s largest city, span a number of decades. The first major attack occurred in 1979 when a bomb planted by the Armenian Secret Army for the Liberation of Armenia (ASALA) exploded in the main terminal, killing two people. The bombing is believed to have been retaliation for the Turkish government’s decision to deny Armenians the ability to use their language in public.
In 1993, a terrorist attack on the main terminal and the international arrivals hall killed 13 people and wounded 75 others. The attackers, believed to be part of the separatist group the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), were armed with guns, grenades, and bombs. The attack was later referred to as the “tourist massacre” due to the attack’s targeting of tourists.
The years 2007 to 2009 saw a number of car bombing and suicide attacks on the airport, believed to have been carried out by militants associated with the PKK or al-Qaeda. The attacks resulted in various casualties including the deaths of at least eight people and injuries to dozens more.
Implications of the terrorist attacks
The attacks at the Istanbul Atatürk Airport have had a devastating impact on the Turkish economy, with the tourism industry particularly hard hit. Reports from the European Travel Commission and the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) suggest that Turkey’s tourism revenues dropped by almost 30% in 2016, resulting in an estimated US$10.4 billion loss in revenue.
The attacks have also had an impact on airport security operations. Following the 28 June 2016 attack, the airport moved to increase its security capabilities, with additional security measures implemented including the introduction of metal detectors and x-ray machines. The airport also set up a comprehensive security control system, consisting of military police, private security firms, and private security officers deployed at the entrances to the main terminal and international arrivals hall.
Furthermore, the attacks prompted an increased focus on anti-terrorism training for airport security personnel, with the Turkish government recommending that airports participate in the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s (ICAO) Professional Aviation Security Awareness Program. This program addresses the latest aviation security methods and techniques, and is designed to help airports deal with common terrorist threats.
Government response
In response to the terrorist attacks in Istanbul, the Turkish government has launched a number of initiatives. In February 2016, the government implemented a new anti-terrorism law that allows for the swift suppression of terror-related activities and longer jail terms for convicted terrorists.
The government also expanded the operations of its security forces by forming a specialized counterterrorism unit, the Special Operations Department (SOD). The SOD, which is composed of police officers, soldiers, and intelligence personnel, has been deployed to the Istanbul Airport and other locations across the country with the aim of preventing terrorist attacks.
In addition, the government has taken measures to improve the airport’s security infrastructure. These measures include renovating and upgrading the airport’s existing security systems, introducing new screening processes and techniques, and installing high-definition cameras and motion detectors to monitor passengers.
The government has also promised to increase the number of security personnel at the airport and to strengthen the security procedures applied to passengers and luggage. It has also established a permanent security point at the airport, where travelers are given airport security briefings before boarding flights.
The future of Istanbul airport security
The attacks on Istanbul’s Atatürk Airport have been a wake up call for Turkey’s aviation security community, with the government and airport authorities working together to strengthen the airport’s security infrastructure and operations. It is now essential for airports to develop a strategic approach to security that includes both short-term measures to deal with immediate threats and long-term measures to ensure the airport’s sustainability and resilience against future attacks.
At the same time, airports must adopt a proactive approach to security, introducing anti-terrorism measures such as security-conscious designs, personnel training, and passenger profiling. Furthermore, airports must ensure that their security systems are up-to-date and in compliance with the latest regulatory requirements.
Effective security at the Istanbul Atatürk Airport requires strong collaboration between the government, airport authorities, and security forces. It is essential that all stakeholders share a common security vision and that all security procedures and protocols are regularly reviewed and updated. Only then can the airport ensure its security remains up-to-date and effective.
Impact of COVID-19 on Istanbul airport security
The global health crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on air travel, resulting in a significant decrease in passenger traffic at many airports. In response, many airports around the world, including the Istanbul Atatürk Airport, have implemented additional security measures to ensure the safety of passengers.
Since April 2020, the airport has implemented a number of new health and safety protocols, including temperature screenings, the requirement for passengers to wear face masks, and enhanced sanitation measures. The airport has also limited the number of passengers allowed into its terminals to ensure that social distancing rules are observed.
In addition, the airport has enhanced its security operations to ensure the safety of passengers, with additional patrols added at the terminal entrances and throughout the airport terminals. The airport has also introduced new personnel screening machines and upgraded its x-ray inspection systems to better detect explosives and weapons.
Security challenges going forward
Going forward, the Istanbul Atatürk Airport must maintain its heightened security measures even as the crisis caused by the pandemic continues. There are a number of security challenges that the airport must address in order to remain secure, including the risk of terrorist attacks, the potential for criminal activity, and the threat of cyberattacks.
The airport must take measures to address these threats, including strengthening its existing security systems and procedures, mobilizing a comprehensive emergency response plan, and ensuring that passengers and personnel remain vigilant at all times. It must also remain in close contact with law enforcement and intelligence agencies to ensure that any potential threats are quickly identified and addressed.
Furthermore, the airport must ensure that its security operations are regularly reviewed and updated in order to ensure that its infrastructure and technologies remain current and meet the changing security challenges. In the face of an ever-evolving security landscape, the Istanbul Atatürk Airport must remain vigilant in order to protect the safety of its passengers and staff.
