Passengers were surprised by new scanners at port

The new security measures and charges created after the September 11 terrorist attacks came into force on January 1. The new charge was set up to finance the application of greater security controls through scanners and control of luggage and passengers entering and leaving by port or airport. But many passengers waiting to board ferries in the port of Palma were taken by surprise by the new security measures. One said that “it is logical, what I don't understand is why it hasn't been done before.” However, other passengers found the scanner “a bit of an exaggeration,” and “more logical in an airport than a sea port.” Members of the Guardia Civil supervising passengers boarding ferries said that so far the new measures had not caused any problems. He added that at the moment, only the luggage of passengers leaving the port was being checked. Controls for those arriving by sea will be introduced over the next few days. As to air travel, 30 airports on the national network, including those of Ibiza and Minorca, are now inspecting 100 per cent of luggage checked in and loaded on board the planes. This measure will be introduced at Palma's Son Sant Joan airport in April. A spokesman for AENA, the airport authority, said that this was in keeping with European regulations, and had been introduced at the airports which have the necessary conditions. They include Bilbao, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Granada, San Sebastian, Santander, Valencia and Zaragoza. The measure will be introduced in other airports progressively, as their infrastructures are being remodelled for the installation of the necessary equipment.