Security measures at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport have been upgraded with the installation of a perimeter fence with an electronic surveillance system, which has just been completed.
Taoyuan International Airport Corp (TIAC) said yesterday that the surveillance system would become operational at the end of the month.
In order to secure the airport’s grounds and runway security, a second wire mesh fence will be added to the existing fencing system this year, TIAC officials said.
The measures are necessary after a spate of incidents involving intruders breaching airport security in recent years, the officials said.
In July 2011, a woman broke through the airport’s fence and went onto the runway. In May last year, three foreign workers breached the enclosures and entered unauthorized areas.
After the incident in July, TIAC drew up plans to install an additional fence with electronic monitoring capabilities, to enhance the surveillance coverage which was incomplete and unable to adequately monitor the area.
TIAC officials said the upgraded fence can continuously monitor the area, and follow intruder’s movements, to discern the point of breach and update security services on the location of an intruder.
The installed fencing system cost NT$200 million (US$6.9 million). Officials estimated the second set of wire fencing to be installed this year will cost more than NT$100 million.
TIAC also plans to build another section of inner wire fences this year. Upon completion, Taoyuan International Airport will have two sets of barrier fences, along with one virtual fence, with electronic surveillance systems.
Officials said it will become more difficult for intruders to enter by climbing over the fence when all the installations are in place.
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