Every time a plane takes off or lands safely, we thank the pilots — and sometimes the air traffic controllers. Yet we rarely stop to think about how many people have daily access to the most sensitive areas of an airport – aircraft zones, baggage halls, and security checkpoints. And even less often do we consider how frequently these people are actually screened.
Today in Lithuania, employee screening remains fragmented and slow — airport staff are typically checked only once a year. Once a one-year permit is issued, no attention is paid to the fact that a person’s situation can change — for example, an employee with a spotless record may commit an offence or suddenly establish connections with states unfriendly to Lithuania. Unfortunately, there is currently no unified system to detect such changes, meaning individuals may continue to work in restricted areas unchecked.
Clearly, such practices are no longer sufficient in the complex security landscape of the 21st century. So, what should be done?
Learning from Our Neighbours’ Success
Let’s look at how other countries manage this process — and what we can learn from them. We don’t need to look far: our close neighbours, Latvia, Poland, and Estonia, have already introduced automated employee screening systems. How do they work?
In Estonia, for example, the real-time automated screening system is directly connected to the national security services, the Ministry of the Interior, and other relevant institutions. The system continuously monitors each employee — not just before issuing a work permit but throughout the entire period of its validity.
This means that if a person’s legal status or affiliations change, the system responds immediately. Moreover, if any development in an individual’s record disqualifies them from working at the airport, their permit is automatically revoked or an immediate re-screening is triggered.
Such systems eliminate human error and outdated data, helping to ensure a high level of security. Unfortunately, Lithuania has yet to implement such a solution, and the issue remains at the discussion stage.
Security Systems Are a Necessity, Not an Option
It’s important to remember that hundreds of people work within airport premises every day: from baggage handlers and cleaners to engineers, suppliers, technicians, and air traffic controllers. Any one of them can access secure zones — and potentially pose a risk.
In the UK and other EU countries, there have been documented cases where employees abused their access privileges. While not all of these incidents were linked to terrorism — many involved smuggling or personal gain — they nonetheless exposed serious security vulnerabilities. Real-time monitoring systems help close such gaps before incidents occur.
According to Aleksandras Nemunaitis, Chairman of the Board of LAVIA, these systems are not a luxury but a necessity, especially in today’s unstable world:
“We’re not talking about control for control’s sake. We’re talking about smart, consistent, and preventive security. Airports are part of our critical infrastructure, and we simply cannot afford to take risks. Today, we have all the technological tools to ensure safety without adding bureaucratic pressure. What’s needed is determination and political will.”
Lithuania Still Lacks Leadership
Unfortunately, this initiative remains stalled in Lithuania for one simple reason — no institution is willing to take ownership of a project of this scale. In other words, neither public authorities nor the airport itself is prepared to make the decisions needed to reform the current permit-issuing process. But without bold decision-making and real leadership, this critical change will never happen.
The consequences are clear, and everyone loses — the state and the business community alike. One overlooked incident alone could cost millions, not just financially but in reputational damage. Automated systems would also significantly reduce the administrative burden. That means faster and smoother permit processing, fewer human errors, and more efficient personnel management.
“Lithuania has a choice: to wait until such systems become unavoidable, or to act now. Our airports are growing, passenger flows are increasing, the aviation sector is recovering from the pandemic, and the threats from hostile actors are not diminishing. Security isn’t a secondary issue — it’s the foundation of our long-term success, and we must treat it as a priority on every front,” says A. Nemunaitis.
If we’re capable of managing complex air traffic systems precisely and efficiently, we can also manage risks by adopting the technologies that are already working successfully in our neighbouring countries.