Security Upgrades Announced for New York-Area Airports

    Feb. 25, 2005
    Port Authority plans new perimeter intrusion system and expanded surveillance, plus biometrics for employee identification and access

    Source Associated Press

    NEW YORK (AP) - The metropolitan area's three major airports will receive a series of security enhancements as part of a capital improvement project announced Thursday by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

    Highlights of the program include $80 million for state-of-the-art perimeter intrusion systems and $14 million for expanded closed-circuit television systems.

    The Port Authority, which operates John F. Kennedy International, LaGuardia and Newark Liberty International airports, also will spend $6 million to adopt federal security standards, including the introduction of biometrics systems for employee identification.

    Biometrics systems apply the most sophisticated technology available to incorporate fingerprinting and iris scanning to verify the credentials of airport and airline personnel, Port Authority officials said in a statement.

    Also Thursday, the Port Authority gave Continental Airlines the OK to proceed with a baggage screening enhancement program at Newark Liberty International Airport's Terminal C.