Turkish airports to use radar-based security system

With less than a year until its opening, Istanbul New Airport is preparing to launch a full-fledged security system while construction continues. Increasing security technology at all airports after the terrorist attack at Istanbul Atatürk International Airport last year on June 28, the General Directorate of State Airports Authority (DHMİ) will use a radar-based security system at the new airport and at other airports in Turkey.

DHMİ General Manager Funda Ocak said the DHMİ administration will keep a sharp lookout in the vicinity together with the radar-based system to be initially set up at Antalya Airport.

With terrorist attacks and security concerns increasing around the world, there is a constant increase in security measures at airports, especially in the United States. Turkey also stands out with the security measures it has taken with international standards and new systems in airport security technology come one after another in the country. Finally, for the first time in Turkey, a radar-based system for the security of the airport vicinity and facility will be installed at Antalya Airport.

Evaluating airport security developments, Ocak said DHMİ will spend TL 16 million ($4.18 million) for the radar security system at Antalya Airport. Ocak also said there will be four radars at the city's airport as well as night vision cameras with motion sensors, adding that the images will be immediately transmitted to the control center with fiber optics installed underground. "It is a very complicated and effective system. We will even know when a bird flies past. It is a very important project," she added.Ocak said Ankara Esenboğa Airport was initially selected as the pilot airport but the project was moved to Antalya since the expropriation limits were not clear. "We will do the same at Esenboğa after the third runway is complete."

Ocak said airports in Turkey bought TL 35 million worth of X-ray devices as well as 24 body scanners, each costing $500,000. Turkey spent TL 95.4 million on airport security technology between 2014 and 2017.