The line is long enough to go halfway around the departure lobby of the airport.
Passengers waiting for baggage inspection at Fukuoka Airport in late December.
This long line is different from the usual year-end and New Year congestion.
A certain problem is currently occurring at the site of security inspections, which are essential for protecting the safety of the sky and preventing terrorism and crime.
We will also tell you what we can do to alleviate congestion when using the airport.
Q. What is happening at airports around the world right now?
A. As the demand for air travel is recovering, there are long lines of passengers waiting for inspections at airports around the world.
Around 8:00 in the morning of December 26th, when I interviewed Fukuoka Airport, which is said to be particularly congested, there was a line that stretched halfway around the departure lobby at the international terminal.
Even on domestic flights, during the morning and evening hours when flights arrive and depart one after another, depending on the day, you may have to wait for an hour or more for the inspection.
On the other hand, even during times when there are many departures and arrivals, all the lanes for inspection are not used.
Only 3 out of 6 lanes were in operation for international flights that day.
Q. Why is this happening?
A.Because the number of security inspectors has decreased significantly due to the corona crisis and will not return.
A survey by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism found that there were 5,600 security inspectors nationwide as of September 2022, a decrease of 1,800, which is a quarter of the 7,400 in April.
On domestic airlines, the number of passengers in 2021 decreased by 60% on domestic flights and 95% on international flights compared to before the spread of infection.
Due to this decrease in demand, security inspectors have left their jobs one after another, and even now, with the demand for aviation picking up, it is difficult to secure new personnel, and it is said that there is a serious labor shortage.
Q. What is the situation at the site?
Can't you take any countermeasures?
A. At the company responsible for security inspections at Fukuoka Airport, the number of security inspectors has decreased by more than 40% compared to before the spread of infection.
For this reason, during busy times, all employees, including the branch manager, are working together to respond, and we have received support from airport companies and airlines, but it is said that it is not possible to operate all lanes at the inspection site. .
Since similar situations are occurring at airports around the country, the government will ease the placement standards for inspectors from November, and if it can be confirmed that they can be operated safely, the number of inspectors per lane can be reduced even on international flights. I made it
At Fukuoka Airport, measures have also been taken to reduce the number of people per lane from 5 to 4.
In addition, the government has decided to subsidize the recruitment activities conducted by companies.
However, there are also structural issues surrounding security inspections, and no fundamental solutions have been reached.
Q. What is the “structural problem” of security inspectors in Japan?
A.According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, in the case of Japan, airport security inspections are the responsibility of the airline company, and are carried out by contracting and outsourcing security inspections.
For this reason, it has been pointed out that the contract form is complicated and it is difficult to increase the wages of inspectors, and it is difficult to take a straight attitude to customers with an awareness of the service, which causes stress in dealing with complaints. It is said that
On the other hand, in many Western countries, the national government and airport operators are responsible, and inspections are conducted using security fees collected from users and government budgets.
Of these, in the United States and Canada, following the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the United States in 2001, the responsible entity has changed from airline companies to national and public corporations.
Under these circumstances, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism has been improving the working environment, and in March 2022, it will be legally compulsory to undergo security inspections before boarding, and penalties will be established for violations.
Discussions are currently underway at an expert panel on how to divide the roles of safety inspections and how costs should be shared.
Q. What is the status of other occupations at the airport?
A.While air travel demand is recovering, airports are facing labor shortages in other occupations as well, and companies are stepping up their hiring activities.
One of them is the "ground handling" staff who loads and unloads luggage on the ground and guides departure and arrival aircraft. decreased by about 8%.
On the other hand, the number of flights by overseas airlines that undertake ground handling was once down to 20% before the spread of the infection, but is expected to recover to 80% in January 2023.
Orders are increasing due to the fact that some other companies are unable to take on orders due to lack of personnel, but there are cases where it is necessary to adjust the time of takeoff and landing due to tight staffing. .
For this reason, the company has expanded its hiring, and plans to hire approximately 300 people by April 2023, three times the number before COVID-19.
Hitoshi Sakai, Manager of JAL Grand Service
"In the future, orders from overseas airlines are expected to increase, and there is a risk that we will not be able to maintain the system with the current staff, so we would like to focus on recruitment and education and training."
Q. What are the opinions of the experts regarding the lack of manpower at the airport?
A.Professor Hajime Tozaki of J. F. Oberlin University, chairman of the national panel of experts, said,
"One of the major functions of airports is how to ensure safety. If it becomes like this, dangerous things will slip through and become a threat of terrorism.Even in economic activities, airports are essential for Japan, an island country, and it will be a big disadvantage that people and goods cannot move smoothly due to a lack of human resources. There is concern that a major labor shortage will become apparent when the number of tourists increases."
On top of that, he said, ``The new Corona has revealed that the airline industry and airport-related industries are very vulnerable to such situations, and even those who are accustomed to telework may temporarily avoid it, but once it calms down to a certain extent, its popularity will return. However, until then, it is necessary for the government to take temporary measures, such as subsidies for personnel expenses, as measures to secure people so that airports can function in a sound manner." I was.
Q. What can we do for the new year's holiday?
A.Reservations for domestic flights during this year-end and New Year holidays have recovered to more than 80% of what they were before the spread of infection, and international flights have increased fivefold from the previous year.
Officials at a security inspection company are concerned that the year-end and New Year holidays, which are facing a serious labor shortage, will be "busier than usual."
We, as users, should be aware of the following points, and by visiting the airport with more time than usual, we can help alleviate congestion.
[Before going to the airport]
◆Confirm items that are prohibited from being brought into the aircraft and items that need to be taken with caution.
Be aware that mobile batteries, hair irons, lighters, etc. have different restrictions depending on the type.
◆ Check the limit on the number of items that can be carried on board and minimize it.
Many airlines allow up to 1 piece of hand luggage such as a suitcase, as well as personal items such as handbags and umbrellas.
[After arriving at the airport]
◆ Check if the boarding pass on paper or on your smartphone is in the check-in state.
Take it out of your bag and prepare it before going through the security check.
◆Confirm in advance that there are no liquids or dangerous goods in your baggage.
◆At the security checkpoint, take off coats, jackets, ankle-covering shoes, etc., and place them in a tray.
◆Do not put anything in your pocket.
Put metal items such as keys, coins, and smartphones in the tray.
◆Remove all electronic devices such as laptops and tablets in advance.
More detailed information can be found on the websites of countries and airlines.
While the labor shortage will not be resolved soon, the government and businesses are calling for cooperation so that inspections can be carried out as smoothly as possible.