AD Aerospace and AEI to supply anti-theft equipment.
British Airways, the UK’s largest airline, has selected AD Aerospace to provide video security systems to protect its customer’s baggage from theft and tampering during loading and unloading of the aircraft. The system monitors any activity that occurs within the baggage hold and records video evidence for use in any subsequent prosecutions should any illegal activity be detected.
Although rare, theft from baggage does occur at airports. Missing items will usually be replaced on insurance but proving where it was stolen and by who can be extremely difficult. With a covert video system recording activity within the baggage hold on BA aircraft, the theft can be spotted and the thief identified for prosecution.
"Our customer’s safety and security is of prime important to British Airways and this extends to their baggage as well," said Chris Weait, Investigations and Security Adviser, British Airways. "This system adds an important additional layer of security to ensure our customers have the best journey possible secure in the knowledge that they and their baggage will arrive safely at their destination."
AD Aerospace of Manchester, UK and Aircraft Engineering & Installation Services Inc. (AEI) of Orlando, Florida, USA are providing the video security system and installation design respectively. AEI also manufactures the installation kit and provides information for certification.
The system based on AD Aerospace’s CargoVu system consists of a number of covert closed circuit TV (CCTV) cameras secreted in the baggage hold of the aircraft linked to a video server (recorder). Any activity in the baggage holds is automatically recorded and any suspicious behavior can be easily spotted and the appropriate action taken. Should a prosecution become necessary the images are marked with an electronic watermark to show they have not been tampered with and making them admissible in court.
"We at AD Aerospace are proud to have been selected by such a prestigious company as British Airways to provide them with video security," said Mike Horne, Managing Director, AD Aerospace Ltd. "The implementation of a baggage security system shows that British Airways takes every step to avoid inconvenience to its customers and to ensure their trip goes as smoothly as possible."
