The airport in Pennsylvania is to allow non-flying citizens to pass through airport security to access the shops and restaurants within the terminal.
Called the “myPITpass, travellers won’t need boarding passes but it has raised concerns over safety fears.
Not only that, but flight attendants have also criticised the move over the risk it poses to them by removing the security factor.
It is certainly a worrying change at a time of heightened security.
Bob Ross, the president of the Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA) released a statement saying: “Allowing the non-flying public to go through security at the Pittsburgh International Airport for the sole purpose of shopping is a terrible precedent and an ill-conceived decision.
“Flight attendants are the last line of defence on an aircraft and as first responders, we know this move by TSA is a bad idea that needs to be reversed.
“Aviation security relies on a layered approach where if terrorists breach a layer, second and third layers come into play to protect us. Letting our guard down in Pittsburgh or any other airport for the benefit of retailers is not the right approach to airline safety and security.”
However, the airport doesn’t think it will cause any issues with safety.
Christina Cassotis, the CEO of Allegheny County Airport Authority, told Fox News: “We do not believe that this poses any additional safety threats.
“It’s like just having more airline passengers going through because they go through the same vetting process.”
This raises concerns as it will also increase waiting times and queues in an already overcrowded security control.
However, Cassotis also explains their solution, stating: “If the line gets too long, we’re going to pull the non-ticketed passengers.”
