LOCKEN, the smart key specialist, is stepping up its presence in the Balearic Islands, providing Palma de Mallorca Airport with a robust and reliable access control solution.
Securing main runways
The airport plays a vital role for the Balearics and welcomes around ten million tourists annually, that’s more than many other airports, which service much larger visitor destinations, including Rome and Barcelona. Palma Airport, the third largest in Spain, follows the frantic pace of the summer crowds and, on some August days, hosts as many flights as the leading European airport, London Heathrow.
Its operator, the AENA group (which also manages Madrid and Barcelona airports), has seen passenger numbers return to a strong upward curve over the past two years.
LOCKEN is equipping access points around the security perimeter of the two main runways at Palma de Mallorca. These are highly sensitive, restricted areas, with entrance gates that must allow immediate access to emergency services in the event of a major accident.
Ruggedised LOCKEN cylinders
The padlocks that close these gates are fitted with LOCKEN cylinders. They can only be opened by holders of a smart electronic key, with the necessary access rights. Positioned outside, they have to withstand severe weather conditions, due to the high temperatures and close proximity to the sea.
Nick Dooley, Managing Director of LOCKEN UK explains: “The robust and flexible nature of LOCKEN’s access control solutions illustrates the total reliability of the system, which is made possible by cable free technology: the passive cylinders are actuated by the intelligent electronic key, which transmits both the power and the access authorisation needed to open the cylinder. The key communicates the information to the central system and the LOCKEN solution allows accurate and regular control of gate opening.”
Padlock guardpoints
In Palma de Mallorca, LOCKEN padlocks are used as "guardpoints": by signalling their passage on these dedicated devices, the security guards on patrol can enable the Security Division to verify compliance with the surveillance procedures. This measure is crucial in strengthening airport security.
“As in other major European cities, the example of Palma confirms LOCKEN's ability to meet the increasingly demanding requirements of the airport sector, as well as its capacity to adapt to the needs of each of its clients,” concludes Nick.