Business travelers respond to recent terrorist activity with perspective that focuses on fundamental intelligence weakness, not lapses at the airport.

Airlines have proven a target for terrorists, but are they an easy target? The consensus, after a Nigerian passenger attempted on December 25 to mix and detonate explosives on a Northwest Airlines flight en route from Amsterdam to Detroit, is quite possibly yes. There is controversy, however, about what aspects of international airport security need to be addressed and how best to do it.

Immediately after the Christmas Day incident, in-bound travelers to the United States were subject to additional security measures and baggage restrictions that included random searches, physical pat downs and additional screening at departure gates. Some governments were advising travelers to the U.S. to arrive at the airport three hours in advance to allow extra time for security screening.

The news set off a firestorm of concerns about public safety versus personal privacy, due to the detailed nature of the images that full body scan technologies are able to produce (see additional resources for more information). For the corporate travel community, however, a recent survey from AirPlus International showed that even when exposed to more invasive security measures, travelers will likely consider it business as usual.

Asked whether a global implementation of full body scan technology would hurt in-bound corporate travel to the U.S., more than 78 percent of respondents said that business travelers would not have the option to forego trips based on privacy concerns. About 18 percent forecasted an immediate decrease due to the implementation of body scan technology, but they also believed that it would rebound as travelers adjusted to the practice. Just over 2 percent believed that corporations might allow business travelers to seek alternatives if they objected to the security measures.

For full survey results, please download the complimentary PDF:

AirPlus…The Wire February 2010 (PDF, 246KB)

Additional Resources:

U.S., Europe Reach Aviation Security ‘Consensus’

Travelers Face New Aviation Security Rules

Debate Over Full-Body Scans vs. Invasion of Privacy Flares Anew After Incident