Denmark

EDD-TEAMS in Denmark

Explosive Detection Dogs (EDD) have been used in airports for many years. Dogs have mainly been used to screen for illicit drugs in luggage and on persons. But the sensitive snouts are versatile and can also be trained to screen for other things in the airport, e.g. explosives in air cargo. In recent years EDD have entered security teams in airports around the world.

In Denmark the first EDD-teams have been put into operation at Billund Airport (EKBI / BLL), which is the second largest airport in Denmark. Cargo Center Billund is the first Danish company to have EDD teams approved for screening air cargo for explosives.

Until now, screening of air cargo at Billund Airport has taken place either manually or with traditional screening equipment, such as x-ray machines or other screening equipment. The new method where EDD teams are used is fully equal compared to traditional screening methods.

One of the benefits of using EDD for screening is that large amounts of air cargo can be screened for explosives in a very effective manner. An EDD team can screen the air cargo at the place where it is safely stored before loading onto an aircraft and very accurately track if and where explosives are hidden.

In terms of precision, EDD-teams are fully on par with traditional screening methods, and at the same time offer cargo companies the potential for a more efficient and faster screening process. A specific benefit for cargo companies is, that the need to open vast amounts of air cargo to manually screen the cargo is greatly reduced.

The required training for EDD-teams is thorough and before an EDD team can operate it requires an approval from the competent authorities.

The Danish Civil Aviation and Railway Authority has the overall responsibility for ensuring compliance with the relevant regulations. As part of the ordinary oversight activities the Danish Civil Aviation and Railway Authority carries out oversight of the companies that uses EDD for the screening of air cargo.

To be approved to use an EDD team, the cargo companies' security plans and procedures must be approved by the Danish Civil Aviation and Railway Authority.

The dog handler must pass a theoretical test and the EDD team (dog and dog handler) must pass a practical test as well. The practical test of the EDD teams is carried out by the National Police on behalf of the Danish Civil Aviation and Railway Authority.

The final approval of EDD teams is made by the Danish Civil Aviation and Railway Authority.

Danish Civil Aviation and Railway Authority

About Denmark

Denmark is a constitutional monarchy in northwestern Europe, the southernmost of the Scandinavian countries.

Denmark comprises the Jutland peninsula, which extends about 338 km in a north and south direction, as well as numerous islands in the Baltic and North seas. Far to the northwest of Jutland, in the Atlantic Ocean between the Shetland Islands and Iceland, lie the Faroe Islands – a group of 18 islands that are part of Denmark. Near the North American mainland, between the North Atlantic and the Arctic oceans, is the island of Greenland, also an integral part of the Danish Monarchy. Both the Faroe Islands and Greenland are self-governing entities. Denmark has an area of 43,094 km2 with Copenhagen being the capital and largest city.