The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) today moved forward on several key security initiatives, including the hiring of Rafi Ron, a top Israeli aviation security official, and Len Limmer, former head of security at Dallas-Fort Worth Airport, as consultants. The Authority also proposed cutting capital costs by close to 40% from the short-term construction budget while retaining the ongoing modernization of Logan Airport.

Massport also is studying the feasibility of implementing a first-in-the-nation facial recognition program at an airport. The program is in the initial stages of discussion with federal authorities and private companies and could become a model for a national system to be installed at major commercial airports. The security consultants brought on today will work with Counter Technology, Inc. (CTI), a nationally-recognized firm hired in March 2001 to conduct a top-to-bottom security audit of Massport facilities. Other security developments include:

$10 million for security infrastructure improvements ($7.5m from an FAA grant)
Security training for frontline Massport employees
Hiring Russell Reynolds Associates to recruit for the position of Logan Public Safety Director
Designing a plan for the installation of cameras at security checkpoints

At its regularly scheduled board meeting, Massport officials proposed cutting 37%, or $280 million, from the Fiscal 2002 and 2003 capital budgets, allowing the vital modernization of Logan to continue while deferring 139 projects. The proposal cuts $62 million out of $322 million from the FY02 capital plan and $218 million out of $427 million from the FY03 capital plan. The Massport Board is set to vote on a detailed revision of the capital budget in November 2001. Projects that are retained in the proposal include:

Terminal A replacement
International Gateway (Terminal E expansion and renovation)
Central Garage renovation
All roadway work at Logan
Routine airfield maintenance projects

Projects that have been removed from the short-term capital budget include:

West Concourse for International Gateway
Customs facility at Terminal B (design work will continue)
Terminal B Garage renovation

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