New aviation safety rules to allow private checks

New Civil Aviation Safety Inspection Rules, to be put into force on Jan 1, 2017 will allow passengers carrying valuables or disabled travellers to apply for security checks in private.

The rules require passengers to go through a full body scanner one by one. If someone triggers the alarm they must go through security checks a second time or be frisked by security staff. Those who don't trigger the alarm may also be subject to a random check.

Some passengers can request security checks in private, including those carrying valuables, those with cardiac pacemakers or the disabled. They will be checked by two or more airport security personnel of the same sex.

According to the new rules, qualifications for security personnel have been loosened, with old rules on height and looks eliminated. The new rules only require that screeners hold relevant technical certification.

The welfare of screeners will also be improved, with X-ray scanner operators not allowed to work continuously for more than 30 minutes, compared with 40 minutes in the past.

The new rules also list 14 types of irregularities that should be reported to police by the airport security department.