A new initiative aimed at targeting disruptive passengers and ensuring travelers can journey in peace is being launched today, Tuesday, July 16, at Southampton Airport in the UK.
Campus Watch was introduced in 2013 by Southampton’s sister airport in Glasgow, to tackle disruptive behavior and ensure support and advice is provided to staff who interact with passengers on a daily basis.
One of its key aims is early intervention. Staff and passengers across the campus are encouraged to report the details of any potential incident of disruptive behavior to the airport’s duty management team through a dedicated phone number printed on a special card carried with each employee’s ID badge.
This information, including passenger description and travel details, is shared with staff across the airport campus and a rapid response initiated.
Neil Garwood, managing director of Southampton Airport, said, “We are very fortunate at Southampton that we have very few incidents of disruption caused by passengers – but we take the view that one incident is too many, and we must do all we can to protect those who travel with us and our staff. Campus Watch is a vital part of that work.
“Disruptive behavior can disproportionately affect a large number of passengers on board an aircraft, which is why we operate a zero-tolerance approach to all disruptive behavior.
“Our Campus Watch system is effective because we work closely with our business partners, airlines, security team and Hampshire Constabulary to manage and often pre-empt incidents.
Disruptive behavior can cover a broad range of offenses, but if the incident is alcohol-related, the passenger involved will be refused service across all retail and catering outlets and gate staff will be notified in advance.
From this week, passengers will see new Campus Watch awareness banners and posters displayed across the airport.