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Airports to tighten landside security after deadly Istanbul attack
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) says Tuesday’s terrorist attack at Ataturk Airport underlines the need to move people ‘airside’ as quickly as possible.
IATA director general and CEO Tony Tyler said: "The safety and security of passengers are our top priorities.
This tragedy in Istanbul and the one in Brussels earlier this year show that there is a growing challenge for governments to keep people safe in the ‘landside’ parts of the airport.
"Moving people ‘airside’ more quickly can help to mitigate risk.
"The industry has a number of initiatives in place to achieve that aim and we are working with governments and airports to implement them," he said.
The statement comes as officials in Turkey revealed how the bombers carried out the attack at Ataturk Airport in which at least 42 people died and over 230 were injured.
According to Sky News, an interior ministry official said after the three attackers arrived at the arrivals level by taxi, one went into the terminal, opened fire then blew himself up near the X-ray machines.
The second made his way to the departures level, while the third ‘waited outside and detonated his explosives as people ran from the blasts inside’, Sky reported.
Tyler added: "Istanbul has a particularly significant and historical role in connecting East and West.
"Terrorism will never succeed in reversing the interconnectedness of the world.
"The desire of the human spirit to explore and trade will always triumph over suspicion and fear.
"That Istanbul airport is operating today is a testament to the resilience and determination of the Turkish people and the aviation industry."
British Airways said it will operate a reduced schedule of flights to Istanbul on Thursday and has advised passengers to check their flight status.
The airline is allowing passengers due to fly to or from the city up to and including Sunday July 3 to rebook at a later date or choose an alternative destination.
Turkish Airlines is allowing passengers with bookings for flights departing from, arriving at, or connecting in Istanbul Ataturk or the city’s other airport, Sabiha Gökçen Airport, between June 28 and July 5 to rebook, reroute or get a refund, provided they submit their requests by July 31.
Lisa
Lisa joined Travel Weekly nearly 25 years ago as technology reporter and then sailed around the world for a couple of years as cruise correspondent, before becoming deputy editor. Now freelance, Lisa writes for various print and web publications, edits Corporate Traveller’s client magazine, Gateway, and works on the acclaimed Remembering Wildlife series of photography books, which raise awareness of nature’s most at-risk species and helps to fund their protection.
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