Brussels, 29 June 2016: ACI EUROPE and the wider airport industry are shocked and saddened by the callous terror attack that took place at Istanbul-Atatürk airport last night. Our thoughts are with the victims, their families and friends and with our airport colleagues at TAV Airports Holding and DHMI.

This is the latest in a series of terrorist attacks targeting not only airports but various other public spaces. The growing frequency of these attacks indicates that our way of life is intrinsically linked to how we secure significant public spaces where large numbers of people gather.

In the wake of the terror attacks that took place in Brussels on 22 March (both at the airport and in the city), national authorities across Europe reviewed the security of their airports. As a result, additional measures have been adopted for public areas (landside) at many airports. These additional measures are aimed at reinforcing surveillance & increasing detection capabilities and they remain in place at this time.

Last night’s attack took place at an airport that has systematic landside security checks on all passengers & visitors as they enter the terminal buildings. Many of the fatalities occurred while people were queueing to access the terminal building – an unfortunate reminder that this kind of additional security measures tends to move the target rather than actually securing it. We must face the reality that when dealing with a terror threat based on suicide bombing, no security measures can ensure 100% protection.

Olivier Jankovec, Director General ACI EUROPE commented “Security is paramount and we the airport industry remain firmly committed to continuously improving the quality and efficiency of security measures. Airports are already among the most regulated spaces in this regard. What happened yesterday in Istanbul shows us that the real challenge now is to stop terrorists before they ever reach an airport or any other public space - I cannot reiterate enough, better intelligence and more effective information exchange & cooperation between the competent public authorities needs to become the highest priority.”

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For more information, contact:

Robert O’Meara, Director, Media & Communications, ACI EUROPE

mobile: +32 (0)486 54 14 71 or tel: +32 (0)2 552 09 82.

Email: robert.omeara@aci-europe.org

ACI EUROPE is the European region of Airports Council International (ACI), the only worldwide professional association of airport operators. ACI EUROPE represents close to 500 airports in 45 European countries. In 2014, our member airports handled over 90% of commercial air traffic in Europe, welcoming more than 1.8 billion passengers, 18.4 million tonnes of freight and 21.2 million aircraft movements. These airports contribute to the employment of 12.3 million people, generating €675 billion each year (4.1%) of GDP in Europe.

EVERY FLIGHT BEGINS AT THE AIRPORT.