Our new sector-specific risk report examines the terrorist threat to the airports sector and how it has changed post pandemic. This report is intended to share a more comprehensive understanding of the threat landscape surrounding airports, their possible vulnerabilities and mitigations.
Our expert analysts have prepared this report using open-source intelligence paired with our in-house data and a range of confidential interviews with leading experts and security directors from various UK airports.
Executive Summary
As key players within the UK economy and vital aspects of the UK’s Critical National Infrastructure, it is unsurprising that airports remain high value targets for terrorist attacks. Traditionally malicious actors have primarily targeted aircraft however, significant security improvements and mitigations have shifted the threat onto airports themselves and in particular landside areas. While low complexity methods have dominated the terrorist threat landscape in the UK in recent years and would undoubtedly cause significant costs if used to target airports, the threat posed by terrorist use of explosives against airports remains. Despite strict airside security measures, landside areas are at an increased risk due to their status as Publicly Accessible Locations (PALs)[1] and increased crowding as a result of the current staffing crisis. Moreover, the staffing crisis has also caused an increased risk of insider threats resulting from mass recruitment to combat the crisis. As a result, it is assessed that there is a moderate terrorist threat towards airports in the UK. Despite the vital mitigations already in place within airports, there is space for improvement with regards to landside areas, particularly as the terrorist threat will remain in the long term.
[1] A publicly accessible location is defined as any place to which the public or any section of the public has access, on payment or otherwise, as of right or by virtue of express or implied permission. For more information, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/protect-duty
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