Hong Kong airport’s security contractor has expanded its canine patrol unit to the newly relaunched Terminal 2, deploying 20 dogs and their handlers to cover the expanded facility.
Jacob Cheung Tat-keung, executive director of the Aviation Security Company (Avseco), said on Friday that operations at Terminal 2 had been generally smooth, although passenger numbers had increased as 15 airlines had moved in over the past few weeks.
Cheung said the deployment of the dogs would depend on traffic at the two terminals of Hong Kong International Airport, and the company would add more dogs as needed.
He added that the company had only hired a small number of staff for the new terminal, as some employees who used to work in Terminal 1 were transferred there, while all security screening facilities were being upgraded to advanced systems.
Advertisement
The Avseco Canine Unit (ACU) was established in January 2021 to enhance the airport’s capacity to detect explosives, firearms and ammunition, with the animals serving a dual security and ambassadorial role focused on non-restricted landside areas.
The unit was set up with backing from the Airport Authority and support from the Hong Kong Police Force and the Customs and Excise Department, which helped select dogs and design kennels and training facilities. They also trained the dog handlers.
Authority CEO Vivian Cheung Kar-fay said that the dogs had contributed significantly.