In accordance with the exercise plan approved by the “Facilitation and Security Committee” at the beginning of 2009, an exercise of “Unlawful Seizure of an Aircraft” was conducted in Macau International Airport from 22:00 on 23 September to 03:00 on 24 September. The exercise was deemed satisfactory and achieved its goal. The exercise simulated acts of an unlawful seizure of an aircraft, en route to Macao, by four passengers on board. Upon receiving a report from the pilot and confirming the incident, the airport declared emergency. The Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) was activated. The threat was being analyzed and evaluated. Negotiations took place between the negotiation team and the hijackers. Eventually, the troops from the special operation group arrested the four hijackers. All the passengers and the aircraft crew were safely evacuated from the aircraft. The exercise, coordinated by the Public Security Police Force, involved the participation of 200 people representing Macao Customs Services, Security Forces Coordination Office, Judiciary Police, Fire Services Bureau, Health Bureau, Maritime Administration, Civil Aviation Authority, CAM-Macau International Airport Company Ltd, Administration of Airports, Ltd., Macau Security Company Ltd. (airport security), Air Macau Company Ltd. and Menzies Macau Airport Services Ltd. Exercises are carried out every year in Macau International Airport, with the objectives of testing and assessing the effectiveness of the Airport Emergency Plan and the Operational Plans of the responding entities in respect to command and control, coordination, communications, resource allocation and so on, as well as improving the ability of the participants in recognizing and dealing with aviation security emergencies and contributing to adjusting the measures contained in the Airport Emergency Plan. Such performance ensures the compliance of our security capacity with the Standards and Recommended Practices of International Civil Aviation Organization, guaranteeing that Macao is a safe and secure air hub in the world.
