UK Aviation Minster Baroness Vere of Norbiton visited Glasgow Airport on May 24 to launch this year’s Campus Watch drive ahead of the 2019 summer season.
The Aviation Minister was briefed on Glasgow’s successful Campus Watch program by members of the senior management team and representatives from Police Scotland based at the airport.
Campus Watch was introduced in 2013 in partnership with Police Scotland to tackle potential disruptive behavior at Glasgow Airport and provides training, advice and support to staff who interact with passengers on a daily basis. The zero-tolerance campaign has helped Glasgow Airport reduce the number of offenses involving disruptive behavior by more than 50%.
Airport staff will report individuals at risk of committing disruptive behavior, such as those under the influence of alcohol, to the airport’s central control room. This information is shared with staff across the airport campus via a rapid text alert system and passengers can be given warnings about their behavior, monitored by police and airport staff, or even refused alcohol at bars and restaurants. If their behavior continues to cause concern, they could be stopped from boarding their flight.
Baroness Vere said, “Unruly and disruptive behavior can be extremely distressful. It is only right that passengers and staff are protected from such behavior and it was great to witness the dedication of hardworking staff committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of passengers.”
Although launched ahead of the peak summer season, Campus Watch operates throughout the year and features an extensive staff awareness program, including a series of drop-in sessions and stakeholder forums, to ensure people employed across the airport who interact with passengers receive the appropriate support and training in order to work together to tackle disruptive behavior.
Other steps taken at Glasgow Airport as part of the Campus Watch initiative include: Police Scotland patrols at the drop-off area ahead of potentially problematic flights; duty-free staff reminding passengers the alcohol they purchase is for export only and cannot be consumed in the airport or on board an aircraft; and Police Scotland officers making themselves known to large groups arriving at the airport.
The airport is also committed to continuing its support of the industry-wide One Too Many campaign and will this year support the European Union Aviation Safety Agency’s Unruly Passengers initiative.