Brisbane Airport Completes World’s First IATA Global Security Assessment After Audit Of Its Aviation Security Procedures.
Brisbane Airport Completes World’s First IATA Global Security Assessment – Brisbane Airport has become the first airport globally to complete a security assessment under the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) Security Management Systems (SeMS) framework.
The certification follows an on-site visit by IATA in June and an audit of Brisbane Airport’s aviation security procedures. IATA represents more than 350 airlines and accounts for 80 per cent of global air traffic. Its SeMS program sets a structured benchmark for managing aviation security through proactive governance and continuous improvement.
The assessment reviewed Brisbane Airport’s systems across 6 areas: corporate governance, resource management, threat and risk management, quality assurance and control, emergency and incident management, and security documentation.
Brisbane Airport received the highest level of SeMS certification and was commended for leadership engagement, internal collaboration, innovation, and alignment with international standards. IATA cited strong executive oversight of security practices, cross-functional coordination in risk response, continuous development of security protocols, and full adherence to SeMS guidelines.
“At Brisbane Airport, safety and security go hand in hand,” said CEO Gert-Jan de Graaff. “Being the first airport in the world to undergo this assessment reflects our commitment to leading the way in aviation security and delivering a safe, trusted experience for the 24 million passengers who travel through our airport every year.
“As Australia’s third busiest airport, and a rapidly growing destination ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, it was important for us to benchmark ourselves against the highest international standards.”
Sheldon Hee, IATA’s regional vice president for Asia-Pacific said that SeMS is key to transforming global aviation security from a compliance mentality to one that is proactive in identifying and mitigating security risks and driving continuous improvements.
“This is a major transition that must involve the entire sector, and we commend Brisbane Airport in leading the way by undertaking this rigorous assessment,” Hee said.
The Airport is currently undergoing a $A5 billion Future BNE upgrade, which includes security screening upgrades across both terminals. The airport handles 24 million passengers annually, connects to 34 international destinations, and is the most connected domestic airport in Australia.
You can learn more about IATA’s SeMS standard process here or read more SEN news here.
“Brisbane Airport Completes World’s First IATA Global Security Assessment After Audit Of Its Aviation Security Procedures.”
