There are thousands of disruptive passenger incidents each year, but a lesser occurrence is that of 'disruptive’ flight deck and cabin crew episodes, the results of which have the potential to be far more serious. A number of recent incidents involving the mental health breakdown of US aircrew in-flight have hit the headlines. Anna Costin looks at these and some of the other reported aircrew incidents and investigates what measures are in place to ensure the psychological stability of those responsible for our safety in the air.

For a few years, in the aftermath of incidents in Baghdad and Mombasa, the industry became overtly concerned that terrorists might try to bring down commercial aircraft using man-portable air defence systems (MANPADS) or rocket propelled grenades. Anna Costin investigates the technological options available to safeguard aircraft against such a method of attack.

With criminal gangs operating airside at many of the world’s larger airports, developing a system of evaluating who we should issue airport ID to is a major challenge. It’s not only the initial issuance of the pass, but also the continued surveillance of those we employ. How can we address the issue, without impinging upon personal privacy, and ensure that those operating airside are honest law-abiding citizens? Anna Costin reports.

As we mark the passing of the 10th anniversary since the second Palestinian uprising, Anna Costin looks at the extent to which Arab-Israeli conflict has impacted on aviation security in the past decade and, in doing so, reviews the extent to which the region's conflict has become intertwined with and hijacked by those with a different set of goals.

For many years, well pre-dating 9/11, it has been the standard procedure in many countries to scramble fighter jets to trail and intercept aircraft suspected of being hijacked. Post 9/11, in an era in which the use of commercial airliner as a weapon of mass destruction is a distinct possibility, governments have been forced to consider the unthinkable - shooting down an aircraft, killing innocent passengers in the process, in an attempt to prevent greater loss of life should those at the controls be intent on targeting a city centre or critical infrastructure installation. Anna Costin reviews some of the outcomes of the deliberations.

Since the 11 September 2001 attacks in the US, the cost of civil aviation security has soared. Increased security measures include: the enhanced screening of carry-on luggage to prevent an increased-list of prohibited items, including large quantities of liquids and sharp items; an increase in the number of pat-down searches of passengers; advanced detection technology for both bags and passengers; the employment of more security staff and improved training and remuneration; an increase in the number of security lanes at airports; enhanced background screening of airport and airline personnel; reinforcement of cockpit doors; more anti-terror training for airline staff; increased perimeter security and policing; the development and procurement of explosive detection screening machines and high-resolution X-ray machines. Anna Costin considers who should finance this raft of security measures. Taxpayer? Airport? Airline?

The struggle to prevent further terrorist attacks continues as new intelligence reveals ever more alleged sophisticated plots. It is a struggle that must balance security with practicality and civil liberties. But it is not only extremists, seeking to attack airports and aircraft or to use aircraft as weapons, who pose a security risk. Demonstrators, from a variety of causes have hit airports in recent times. Anna Costin takes a look at some of these incidents and discusses their wider security implications.