The Airport Authority will face 'great difficulty' in creating an effective security force in time for the opening of Chek Lap Kok, companies warned yesterday.
The Security Association, representing 75 firms, is to write to Secretary for Security Peter Lai Hing-ling and the authority to express concern.
But its fears were dismissed by an authority spokesman, who said: 'Time is tight, but it's not impossible.' The association is worried about the authority's plan to set up a wholly-owned subsidiary which would have a monopoly on security at the new airport.
More than 2,000 security staff would have to be hired and trained in time to start test operations in the airport in February or March - or the April opening would be impossible. A draft of the association's letter, yet to be approved, says: 'Given the time frame for the opening of the new airport, we believe the Airport Authority will face great difficulty in guaranteeing effective security measures from day one.' Although senior police officers and customs staff are being seconded to run the new security force, none has had direct experience of running an airport operation.
At Kai Tak, it has been run for two decades by Securair, a joint venture between Cathay Pacific and Jardines.
As well as screening baggage and passengers, the new authority will be responsible for perimeter security, a job presently done by the police.
