Mackay Airport
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Successful anti-terrorism exercise completed

The Mackay Port Authority is planning to increase emergency response training programs after a successful anti-terrorism exercise at Mackay Airport on Wednesday.

Exercise Airex 2005 involved more than 70 people covering local emergency agencies, airlines and airport staff.

Mackay Airport operations manager Ray Waters said under Civil Aviation Safety Authority regulations, the airport was required to hold a major training exercise every two years.

“Hopefully will we never have to put this training into practice, but in case a real life emergency does unfold, it’s important we have plans and operational protocols in place,” he said.

Mr Waters said at least two exercises would be held each year.

“They won’t be as big as Airex. The plan is to conduct small exercises with individual agencies such as fire and rescue, police and ambulance personnel,” he said.

Mr Waters said agencies involved in Wednesday’s hijacking exercise underwent a detailed debrief today.

“Overall the operation went very smoothly, but improvement were identified in a few areas, mostly field communications between police and other agencies and the main airport terminal staff,” he said.