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Security cameras are going to be installed at the Rankin Inlet Airport after upgrades are completed in Cape Dorset and Pangnirtung. Cameras have already been installed by Nunavut Airports at the transportation hubs in Pond Inlet, Arviat and Iglulik. - NNSL file photo |
Airport security beefed up Camera systems installed in three communities, enhanced lighting and new fencing to come
Myles Dolphin
Northern News Services
Published Monday, July 22, 2013
NUNAVUT
The Government of Nunavut is stepping up security at several airports in light of recent vandalism incidents.
Shawn Maley, director of Nunavut Airports, said security cameras have already been installed in Pond Inlet, Arviat and Iglulik this year, while Cape Dorset and Pangnirtung will have their own systems in August. Upgrades will follow in Cambridge Bay and Rankin Inlet.
"These incidents don't happen often, but when they do, they gather a lot of attention," he said, referring to two recent incidents in Pangnirtung in which a helicopter window was smashed and valuable equipment was taken from a small aircraft.
Last year, a Canadian North plane was broken into and vandalized overnight in Pond Inlet, resulting in a cancelled flight the day after. In 2011, someone caused more than $250,000 in damage to a different Canadian North aircraft at the same airport by hitting it with a shovel.
Colin Saunders, Pond Inlet's economic development officer, said the upgrades seem to have deterred vandals from striking again.
"It's good they have brought the cameras here, as air transport is the lifeline of the North," Saunders said.
"The airport incidents, as far as I know, have stopped since the installation of the cameras."
The person who is believed to be responsible for causing the damage is no longer in the community, Saunders said.
The camera systems don't come cheap - they range from $50,000 to $60,000 depending on materials, Maley said.
Pangnirtung's senior administrative officer Ron Mongeau told Nunavut News/North on July 12 the fence surrounding the community's airport was faulty and had to be replaced. He estimated the cost of the project at $250,000.
His plea to the Government of Nunavut for financial assistance was heard loud and clear.
"We are going to pay to re-do the fencing around the airfield," Maley said.
"We are also going to improve the ramp lighting."
Improving security
On July 19, Mongeau said he was very pleased with the announcement, and looks forward to working with the government to improve security at the airport.
"We will work out the details with the director of airports and hopefully bring in the materials on the last boat this summer," he said.
"As for the fence, we are looking at different options, but we'll be pushing to replace the entire thing. Another option is replacing part of it. It's still up in the air for now."
Maley added it is hard to prevent a determined person from entering an airfield and causing damage to an aircraft as, more often than not, these locations are not staffed 24 hours a day.
Because most airports are located away from the community, it is easier for individuals to gain access to them.
"Our approach is to work with the communities and try to prevent these problems as much as possible," he said.
"There are a lot of places around the territory where planes have been on runways for a while and nothing has happened to them. When it does, though, it gets people's attention."
Chris Ferris, executive vice-president of marketing and sales at First Air, welcomed the improvements.
"These new airport security measures create an increased level of protection for our equipment, particularly in communities where we need to overnight," he said. "Remaining overnight enables us to offer the optimum schedule so people in those communities can make same-day connections to more destinations throughout the North and North America."
No one at Canadian North was available for comment before press time. The Government of Nunavut is stepping up security at several airports in light of recent vandalism incidents.
Shawn Maley, director of Nunavut Airports, said security cameras have already been installed in Pond Inlet, Arviat and Iglulik this year, while Cape Dorset and Pangnirtung will have their own systems in August. Upgrades will follow in Cambridge Bay and Rankin Inlet.
"These incidents don't happen often, but when they do, they gather a lot of attention," he said, referring to two recent incidents in Pangnirtung in which a helicopter window was smashed and valuable equipment was taken from a small aircraft.
Last year, a Canadian North plane was broken into and vandalized overnight in Pond Inlet, resulting in a cancelled flight the day after. In 2011, someone caused more than $250,000 in damage to a different Canadian North aircraft at the same airport by hitting it with a shovel.
Colin Saunders, Pond Inlet's economic development officer, said the upgrades seem to have deterred vandals from striking again.
"It's good they have brought the cameras here, as air transport is the lifeline of the North," Saunders said.
"The airport incidents, as far as I know, have stopped since the installation of the cameras."
The person who is believed to be responsible for causing the damage is no longer in the community, Saunders said.
The camera systems don't come cheap - they range from $50,000 to $60,000 depending on materials, Maley said.
Pangnirtung's senior administrative officer Ron Mongeau told Nunavut News/North on July 12 the fence surrounding the community's airport was faulty and had to be replaced. He estimated the cost of the project at $250,000.
His plea to the Government of Nunavut for financial assistance was heard loud and clear.
"We are going to pay to re-do the fencing around the airfield," Maley said.
"We are also going to improve the ramp lighting."
On July 19, Mongeau said he was very pleased with the announcement, and looks forward to working with the government to improve security at the airport.
"We will work out the details with the director of airports and hopefully bring in the materials on the last boat this summer," he said.
"As for the fence, we are looking at different options, but we'll be pushing to replace the entire thing. Another option is replacing part of it. It's still up in the air for now."
Maley added it is hard to prevent a determined person from entering an airfield and causing damage to an aircraft as, more often than not, these locations are not staffed 24 hours a day.
Because most airports are located away from the community, it is easier for individuals to gain access to them.
"Our approach is to work with the communities and try to prevent these problems as much as possible," he said.
"There are a lot of places around the territory where planes have been on runways for a while and nothing has happened to them. When it does, though, it gets people's attention."
Chris Ferris, executive vice-president of marketing and sales at First Air, welcomed the improvements.
"These new airport security measures create an increased level of protection for our equipment, particularly in communities where we need to overnight," he said. "Remaining overnight enables us to offer the optimum schedule so people in those communities can make same-day connections to more destinations throughout the North and North America."
No one at Canadian North was available for comment before press time.
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