Airport security across the U.S. on high alert

Airports and transit systems around the nation are heightening security after the terrorists attacks that happened in Belgium.

New York City and Los Angeles announced this morning that both cities are increasing the visible presence of officers today.

Columbia’s Regional Airport spoke with ABC 17 and said they adjust accordingly to situations. The airport couldn’t confirm how many additional agents were on duty but said they took the appropriate protocol.

Delores Perry, a passenger flying in from Detroit said she was nervous flying out this morning and she also said her parents were of course worried, “they said they didn’t know if they wanted me to fly.”

Columbia Regional Airport is significantly smaller and has a smaller TSA presence that other larger airports do. So does that mean that Columbia is at more of a risk? According to Columbia Regional Airport Manager, Don Elliott, “I feel safer because what is unique is you know everybody that works there and if you see something, someone will say something.”

ABC 17 spoke with another passenger who was leaving from Columbia’s Regional Airport this afternoon to Chicago and agreed with what Elliott had to say about being in a smaller airport. “Being in a larger airport and town makes me more nervous,” Judy Bowers told ABC 17.

Don Elliott wanted to remind Mid Missourians who fly into and out of that airport that they have specific procedures in place to protect passengers. Which includes full time law enforcement officers stationed at the airport, unlike smaller airports who rely on law enforcement that come in during flight operations only.