Catching criminals top of airline agenda

Lorna Strickland

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The annual airline workshop organised by Lemantrade and TFWA highlighted the need for industry protection against fraud

The annual airline workshop, held at TFWA World Exhibition yesterday, focused on the need for a joint stance against the threat of fraud and theft. Keynote speaker Visa International head of transport and entertainment Brian Geary told delegates that fraud protection is a must-have for any retailer and that protecting themselves is a priority. He said the costs of connecting credit card machines to the ground and verifying card transactions was worth the expense against crime syndicates specifically targeting airlines.

Geary quoted a success with German flag carrier Lufthansa where a member of cabin crew believed an unusually high amount of goods were being bought. Police found on the suspect a list of products to be bought on different Lufthansa routes. "Incidents like this are real and it's not just a few passengers doing it," said Geary. "This was one example and there are definitely more."

Inflight concessionaire Aeroboutique managing director Pierre Freyssinet told delegates of a joint force between Aeroboutique, Air France and police at Paris Charles de Gaulle airport. Airport staff suspected of stealing goods destined for Air France's onboard programme were apprehended and their homes raided. "Police had to use lorries in order to remove the tonnes of products that had been stolen by over 20 airport workers," Freyssinet told stunned delegates. Aeroboutique's SafeTrolley, which logs when and where the duty-free trolley doors are opened and closed, was instrumental in catching the gang.

See DFNI November 15 for a full report