“Exercise of Unlawful Seizure of an Aircraft 2008”

In accordance with the year plan approved by the “Facilitation and Security Committee” at the beginning of 2008, Macau International Airport (MIA) conducted an exercise of “Unlawful Seizure of an Aircraft” from 22:30 on 29 July to 04:00 on 30 July.

The exercise simulated the scenario of an unlawful seizure of an aircraft by some passengers. The airport then declared emergency.

The exercise was a form of joint training aimed at assessing the effectiveness of the airport security procedures and contingency plans. In addition, it also emphasized the vital role played by the aviation security personnel in maintaining a safe and efficient operation environment for civil aviation.

Coordinated by Public Security Police Force, the exercise involved the participation of Unitary Police Service, Macao Customs Service, Public Security Forces Affairs Bureau, Judiciary Police, Health Bureau, Fire Services Bureau, Civil Aviation Authority, CAM-Macau International Airport Company Ltd., ADA-Administration of Airports, Ltd., Macau Security Company Ltd., Air Macau Company Ltd., Menzies Macau Aviation Services and so on. More than 150 people took part in it. The exercise was deemed a success.

Carried out every year in MIA, the security exercise helps to enhance the capacity of the participants in dealing with aviation security emergencies, ensuring that MIA is a reliably safe international airport. 

The passengers were safely evacuated from the hijacked aircraft in the exercise. 

All the four hijackers were stopped and arrested.