With an increase in terrorist activities and drug smugglers there has been a growing need for airports to develop their security operations. Detection dogs are quite often brought in to help detect illegal substances such as drugs and explosives. How do detection dogs detect the substance? Detection dogs are used at airports for a number scenarios. They sniff passengers and hand luggage at security checkpoints and if someone reports a suspicious package or incident on a plane, bomb dogs sniff the aircraft, its passengers and its cargo hatch. When the dog finds a scent, it leads the handler toward the source and the universal sit signal tells the handler that it has found something. If you’ve ever watched a sniffer dog at an airport, you may have noticed that it works in silence, with neither a word nor a bark is exchanged between the dog and its handler. What substances can detection dogs find? It’s not surprising that detection dogs are used at airports due to their ability to detect the following substances within luggage and on the person: Drugs – including weed, cocaine,opium and heroin Explosives/Bombs Concealed weapons and firearms Illegal animal based products Large amounts of cash No matter how much the traveller tries to conceal the substance, detection dogs are trained to detect illegal odours when they are tightly sealed or deeply hidden. They can identify individual scents even when the scents are combined or masked by other odours. Why use detection dogs for airport security? There is no denying that detection dogs cannot replace humans when it comes to airport security but what they can do is provide that extra security measure. Even though humans smell using most of the same equipment as dogs, there are differences. Dogs are better than us at sucking in odours. Their noses are longer and roomier than ours, so they can inhale more air per sniff. Detection dogs also have 20-40 times more odour receptors in their noses than we do. Airports are now starting to use detection dogs to speed up security waiting times Detection dogs and their handlers have also been known to patrol airport security lines to reduce waiting times when going through security, without having to remove their shoes, empty their bags or experience the dreaded pat downs. How are detection dogs trained? Detection dogs learn the basics in between two and four months. Although they’ll undergo testing and retraining throughout their entire careers to make sure their skills remain sharp. Detection dogs are trained to learn a sequence, they would sniff the area, find the substance, sit and get a toy for good behaviour and this would be carried out in the same surroundings as to where they would work. Dog handlers would train alongside the sniffer dogs, learning to watch and lead their canines. Detection dogs are extremely versatile Detection dogs are not only used to sniff out drugs and explosives but can also be used for a number of other operations. The UK Telegraph reported that KLM hired a sniffer dog named Sherlock to help reunite passengers with their lost mobiles and valuables. Items such as mobiles, headphones and toys were attached to the dogs back who then tears through Amsterdam Schiphol Airport in search of their rightful owners. “It’s a lot of fun. Personally, I think he’s a real asset to the company,” says Chantal Kremer, of the airline’s ground services department. “He can really do something no-one else can.”

This new partnership sees A.S.P.’s Canine Explosives Detection Dog (EDD) Teams provide security screening services at eighteen FedEx Cargo premises in the provinces of Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia. "We are proud to partner with FedEx Canada in the national roll-out of Canine EDD services, supporting their air cargo facilities across the four provinces. Together we are paving new ground and raising the bar in Canine detection security services for the freight industry” said Trisha Murray, Director, Canine and Resource Planning Operations, A.S.P. Security Services. A.S.P also recently expanded its Canine operations when awarded the contract for the provision of security services to YHZ Gateway Facilities at Halifax International Airport. Trisha Murray goes on to say: “This is our second new contract in Nova Scotia this year and we are thrilled to be expanding our role as an employer in the province. We welcome YHZ Gateway to our client portfolio, which includes Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, Brookfield Properties, The Greater Toronto Airport Authority, The Toronto Blue Jays and iAero Airways services for the NHL to name but a few.” A.S.P provides complete security solutions to the aviation, cargo, commercial, sports, and event industries across Canada and is the leading provider of Canine explosives detection services.

ICTS Italy commenced a new contract with multinational data centres operator, Equinix. ICTS is responsible for securing Equinix’s 5 locations in the Milan region and Genova. Equinix is one of the largest global data centre and colocation provider for enterprise network and cloud computing. “We have started a good business partnership with Equinix in Italy. Our ICTS approach and vision is valued by our client. Our expertise, dedication and flexibility are the key characteristics that we bring to this contract”, said Luca Crevani, Operations Manager, General Security, ICTS Italy.

ICTS UK & Ireland is delighted to be providing security services to Virgin Atlantic’s brand-new route connecting Edinburgh with Barbados Louise Cameron, Regional Manager – Scotland says: “ We are so pleased to welcome Virgin at Edinburgh Airport for the first time, and we look forward to supporting their planned expansion which includes the introduction of an additional flight to Orlando in March 2022.”

DiagNose France is pleased to announce that it has extended its partnership with SNCF for an additional four years. SNCF, Société Nationale des Chemins de fer Français, is the French national railway company. The contract is for the provision of canine explosive detection services to screen unattended objects for explosives at the railway stations in central Paris. The free running dogs are trained by DiagNose France and certified in accordance with local regulations. “We are delighted to extend and strengthen our relationship with SNCF. We are grateful for the opportunity to play a part in the creation of safe environments”, said Marie- Hélène Duh, Director of Customer Relations, DiagNose France. Similar services are also provided to RATP, Régie Autonome des Transports Parisiens, the public transport company of Paris.

We welcome WestJet’s two new flights routes: Calgary to London Heathrow and Halifax International to Paris Charles de Gaulle. In March 2022, the ICTS Teams in France and the UK welcomed WestJet’s two new flights routes: Calgary to London Heathrow and Halifax International to Paris Charles de Gaulle. Both ICTS UK and ICTS France are responsible for the provision of travel documentation verification services to the Canadian airline. The ICTS Europe Group has been working in partnership with WestJet since June 2018 and ICTS has been securing WestJet at London Gatwick Airport during the pandemic. As a Group we look forward to WestJet’s resumption of flights from Dublin, Barcelona and Rome in May 2022.

United Airlines’ first flight landed at the new Berlin Brandenburg Airport. On 27 March 2022, United Airlines’ first flight landed at the new Berlin Brandenburg Airport. United currently operates six weekly flights to New York’s Newark Airport, a service which will increase to a daily service from 5 May. ICTS Deutschland is responsible for the provision of a full envelope of enhanced security services, as well as Passenger service at check-in and gate. “After two years without any United Airlines operations at Berlin Airport, our ICTS Team was very pleased to welcome the airline’s first flight. I take this opportunity to thank my colleagues for their outstanding performance during the first days of operation” said Marina Casado Criado, Operation UA Key-Account Manager Airline Security, ICTS Germany. Berlin Brandenburg Airport was inaugurated on 31 October 2020. This new airport consists of three terminals and two runways and holds a capacity of 40 million passengers per year.

ICTS Cyprus expanded its business in the Cypriot Port Facilities sector with the award of a new contract with Kition Ocean Holdings, the new operator of the Port of Larnaca and its marina. On 1 April 2022, the ICTS Teams started providing security services at these two sites, including guarding, security patrols, and visitor (Covid-19) Safe Pass checks. ““I am proud that the main port facilities in Cyprus have entrusted ICTS Cyprus with the provision of their security. " said Panagiotis Fistedis, Managing Director, SE Europe & Mediterranean, ICTS Europe Group. ““ICTS Cyprus is the only international company in Cyprus and the wider region that offers security excellence, innovation, know-how, and technological solutions combined with integrated port security and passenger and baggage screening services. We wish Kition Ocean Holdings all the best as new managers and look forward to supporting them in their major plans to privatize, modernize and reconstruct the marina and the Port of Larnaca”.

ICTS UK won an International Safety Award from the British Safety Council in recognition of its commitment to keeping its workers and workplaces healthy and safe during the 2021 calendar year. Mike Robinson, Chief Executive of British Safety Council, congratulated ICTS UK team on their success in winning an International Safety Award 2022 with a Merit: “The British Safety Council applauds your achievement. The award is in recognition of the commitment and hard work to keep employees and workplaces free of injury and ill health.” The vision of British Safety Council is that no-one should be injured or made ill through their work – anywhere in the world. Achieving this requires more than complying with legislation; it means people committed not only to health and safety but also more and more to workplace wellbeing and impelling others to follow suit.” Andy Kynoch, Managing Director - ICTS UK & Ireland said, “We are extremely proud of this award; Health and Safety are at the core of our operation. This award is a testament to our teams’ acute awareness of the importance of keeping our people safe, especially during the pandemic.”

ICTS Hellas has signed two new contracts with two highly respected research centres: The Foundation for Research & Technology – Hellas (FORTH) and the National Observatory of Athens. The Foundation for Research & Technology – Hellas (FORTH), is managed by the Greek Ministry for Education through its General Secretariat for Research and Technology. ICTS Hellas is responsible for the provision of enhanced security to the Foundation’s headquarters and central administration offices located in Heraklion, Crete. The National Observatory of Athens was founded in 1842 and is the oldest research foundation in Greece and one of the oldest research institutes in Southern Europe. ICTS Hellas is responsible for guarding its central administration offices and the Institute of Geodynamics. “ We are delighted with the opportunity to provide our services to two of the most distinguished research centres in Greece. This contract reinforces our esteemed position in the Greek Security Industry” said Stylianos Chrysomallos, CEO of ICTS Hellas.

ICTS UK's Aviation Security Team has welcomed three new airlines at London Heathrow Airport. During the last few months, the ICTS Aviation Security Team has welcomed three new airlines at London Heathrow Airport: Tianjin Airlines, Hainan Airlines and China Eastern Airlines. Due to the latest Covid restrictions in China the airlines are operating a cargo-only service. Virinder Singh, ICTS Regional Aviation Security Manager – England said: “ Our Team is providing an almost daily service to the airlines, and we look forward to increasing our security services as the airlines re-introduce passenger flights to London Heathrow Airport..”

ICTS Hellas has signed a new contract with the University of Peloponnese. ICTS Hellas is responsible for securing the campuses located in Tripoli, Corinth, Kalamata, Nafplio, Sparta, and Patras, and securing over 24,000 students across 9 premises. “ We are pleased that the ICTS Hellas Team has secured this 3-year contract with such a highly regarded academic institution. Our teams are highly trained to work within the educational sector. In addition to the University of Peloponnese, ICTS Hellas also secures the Athens School of Fine Arts.” said Stylianos Chrysomallos, CEO of ICTS Hellas.