Newcastle International Airport

Newcastle Airport and Real-Link | DfT Compliance Case Study
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Newcastle International Airport

Newcastle International Airport is the largest airport in the North East of England, handling over four million passengers annually. Like all UK airports it must comply with strict Department for Transport regulations covering patrols, personnel checks and auditable record keeping. Real-Link was chosen to meet those requirements without adding to the administrative burden of the security team.

UK airports are regulated by the Civil Aviation Authority under powers set by the Department for Transport. All patrol and security check activity must be carried out in accordance with DfT directives and be available for inspection by regulators at any time. The question auditors ask is not whether checks took place, but whether you can prove it.

DfT compliant
Regulatory records met and audit-ready
Real time
Patrol visibility across all airport zones
Instant
Records available to auditors on demand

The challenge

The airport had a patrol and compliance process in place but it was labour-intensive. Supervisors were spending valuable time compiling reports manually, pulling them away from their core security responsibilities. The airport needed a way to keep pace with DfT requirements without that administrative overhead.

The key requirements were regular and random patrols across all zones, thorough checks on personnel and vehicles, and all data stored in a format that could be produced for auditors at any point.

The solution

Newcastle International Airport chose Real-Link to handle operational tasks more efficiently and maintain compliance. The system was configured to match the exact data capture requirements of the airport, with full support and training provided to the security team.

Using NFC-enabled mobile devices and RFID tags placed across the airport, the team could monitor the location and timing of all patrols in real time, record security checks and surveillance activity digitally, and give both internal teams and external auditors secure online access to all records.

Simplicity of deployment
The setup required only standard mobile phones and small RFID tags. It was cost-effective and straightforward to deploy without interrupting day-to-day security duties.

The results

Time savings
Supervisors no longer compile reports manually. That time goes back into core security work.
Real-time visibility
All patrol and check data is viewable live, giving management an accurate picture at any moment.
Regulatory confidence
DfT auditors access all relevant data in one place, with full audit transparency.
Ongoing support
The system has run smoothly since deployment. Support has been praised as second to none.
"The Real-Link system has enabled our audits to become easier. Our regulator has one area to audit."
Bill Lapsley, Security Delivery Manager, Newcastle International Airport

Does your security operation need to meet regulatory audit requirements?

Real-Link gives you a real-time record of every patrol and check, ready for auditors at any time.

Book a Free Demo 01243 855700
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