Bomb Threat Exercise 2010 was smoothly carried out

With the objective of testing and assessing the efficiency of the Airport Emergency Plan, the government bodies and the aviation operators involved in airport security jointly conducted the “Bomb Threat Exercise 2010” which simulated the activation of the Airport Emergency Plan and the security contingency procedures in response to a bomb threat that occurred in the passenger terminal of the airport. About 100 people participated in the exercise which was deemed smooth. The exercise took place from 02:00 to 05:30 this morning. The scenario simulated a suspect baggage being found in the departures hall of the passenger terminal of Macau International Airport. Upon being notified of the incident, the police on duty and the airport security guards reported it to their superior. After the police forces have assessed the incident, an emergency was declared. The Airport Emergency Operations Centre and the security contingency procedures of the police forces were immediately activated. The site was cordoned off; a thorough inspection was done on the whole airport area where the police and the airport security guards found another suspect bomb in the car park. The special police were called in to inspect the two objects who confirmed that one of them was a genuine bomb. The bomb was then detonated. Conducted in accordance with the work schedule approved in the beginning of this year by the Facilitation and Security Committee, the exercise was coordinated by Public Security Police Force, Unitary Police Force, Macao Customs Services, Judiciary Police, Fire Services Bureau, Security Coordination Office, Health Bureau, Maritime Administration, Civil Aviation Authority, CAM-Macau International Airport Company Ltd, Administration of Airports, Ltd., Macau Security Company Ltd. (airport security), Menzies Macau Airport Services Ltd and Air Macau Company Ltd. Exercises are carried out every year in Macau International Airport with the objective of testing and assessing the effectiveness of the Airport Emergency Plan and the capacity of the participating entities on command and control, coordination, communication, resource allocation and so on when facing contingencies, so that the participants can further improve themselves in recognizing and dealing with aviation security emergencies, therefore ensuring the compliance of our security services with the Standards and Recommended Practices of International Civil Aviation Organization and guaranteeing Macao as a safe and secure air hub in the world.