AVSECO Canine Unit Kennel Unveiled at HKIA

Tripartite Cooperation Protocol Signed with Law Enforcement Agencies

(HONG KONG, 13 July 2021, 1700hrs)  –  The new AVSECO Canine Unit (ACU) Kennel at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) was unveiled today. Managed by the Aviation Security Company Limited (AVSECO), the opening of the facility marks the official deployment of AVSECO’s Canine Unit to further enhance airport security. The ACU will strengthen the capability of AVSECO in respect of detecting explosives, firearms and ammunition.

The Hong Kong Police Force and Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department have been providing support to the establishment of the ACU in various aspects, including selecting canines, designing the kennel and related facilities, providing training for canines and handlers, offering temporary accommodation for canines, and more.

Carol Yip, Permanent Secretary for Security; Raymond Siu, Commissioner of Police; Louise Ho, Deputy Commissioner of Customs and Excise; and Victor Liu, Director-General of Civil Aviation officiated at the opening ceremony of the ACU Kennel. They were joined by Lo Wai-kwok, Chairman of AVSECO Board of Directors and also Member of the Board of Airport Authority Hong Kong (AA); Fred Lam, Chief Executive Officer of AA; and Jacob Cheung, Executive Director of AVSECO.

Under the witness of the officiating guests, representatives from AVSECO, Hong Kong Police Force, and Hong Kong Customs and Excise signed a tripartite cooperation protocol that involves sharing of knowledge, use of canine facilities, conducting joint exercises, trainings and operations; as well as establishing a joint canine breeding programme.

Fred Lam, Chief Executive Officer of AA said, “The Canine Unit represents our continuous efforts in further enhancing airport security. The canines and their handlers will join the Contingency Response Unit set up by AVSECO last year to step up patrol in the terminal and surrounding areas. We appreciate AVSECO’s prompt actions after the decision was made last year in establishing the Canine Unit.  But we would not be able to achieve all these without the support from the Hong Kong Police Force, and Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department, for which we are most grateful.”

Jacob Cheung, Executive Director of AVSECO said, “AVSECO pioneered the introduction of an airport canine unit among aviation security companies worldwide. It is our pleasure to sign a tripartite cooperation protocol with Hong Kong Police Force and Hong Kong Customs and Excise today, which allows us to better equip the Canine Unit for performing their duties at the airport. We will continue with our efforts to deliver world-class aviation security services for the travelling public at HKIA.”

Located inside the restricted area of HKIA, the two-storey kennel was specifically designed to house individual resting blocks for each canine, grooming and quarantine facilities, and an indoor training area for canines’ daily living and exercise. In addition to the kennel facilities, the AA has also earmarked more outdoor space for the ACU’s canine training.

Ten canines of the ACU and their handlers are being deployed in phases to patrol the terminal and surrounding areas after completion of training. They will also assume the role of airport ambassadors to welcome travellers at HKIA.