Tuesday, 9 June was an exceptional day at Tallinn Airport, as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Estonia together with First Lady Olena Zelenska, along with several other high-level guests. During his visit, President Zelenskyy met with President Alar Karis and Prime Minister Kristen Michal and took part in the NB8 summit of Nordic and Baltic countries.
Forus aviation security team played an important role in Tallinn Airport’s security arrangements. The team’s task is to help ensure the safe and secure operation of the airport, both in everyday work and during events requiring heightened attention.
According to Tauri Sepp, Head of Aviation Security at Forus, it was clear early on that this would not be an ordinary working day. “The arrival of high-level guests means more coordination, more stakeholders and heightened attention across the entire airport operation. At the same time, for our team, it was a well-prepared working day, with all parties aware of their roles and responsibilities,” said Sepp.
Cooperation keeps the day running smoothly
Forus has been providing aviation security services at Tallinn Airport since December 2023. The company’s responsibilities include, among other things, patrol services across the airport territory, staffing access control points and operating the coordination centre that supports airport activities.
According to Sepp, a visit day of this kind differs from a regular working day primarily in terms of the volume of preparation and cooperation required. “In addition to regular air traffic, it is necessary to ensure the handling of special flights, coordinate activities with various authorities and maintain situational awareness throughout the day. At the same time, the airport’s everyday operations must continue with as little disruption as possible,” Sepp explained.
He added that cooperation is the key word during such events. “Tallinn Airport, the Police and Border Guard Board, the Internal Security Service, various service providers and security partners all work towards a common goal. Success depends on timely information exchange, clear areas of responsibility and a shared understanding of the situation,” Sepp added.
The best security work often goes unnoticed
A high-level visit requires excellent preparation, clear division of roles and professional conduct from the airport security team. “Our people must be ready to act precisely, calmly and professionally. During an event like this, it is important that everything runs smoothly, from access control and patrols to information exchange and monitoring the situation. Security is created through teamwork,” said Sepp.
An airport is an environment where the quality requirements for security services are very high. The people working in Forus aviation security team undergo thorough background checks and specialised training to ensure that the service complies with aviation security requirements. “At the airport, our work is not only about visible presence. A large part of it is prevention, attentiveness and readiness to respond. The better trained and prepared the team is, the more smoothly such important events can take place,” Sepp said.
According to him, the team sees days like this as both a responsibility and a recognition of their work. “The responsibility is certainly greater than on a regular day, but for our people, professional performance in these situations is part of the job. At the same time, it is also a moment of pride — an opportunity to contribute to the secure running of events that are meaningful for Estonia as a whole.”
Forus considers its partnership with Tallinn Airport to be one of the company’s most important and extensive cooperation projects. Every day, a Forus team of more than 70 people contributes to ensuring security at the airport.
“The best security work is the kind that no one notices. When guests arrive safely at their destination, the airport operates as usual and people can do their work, then our team has carried out its task well,” said Sepp.
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Would you like to be part of the behind-the-scenes world of the airport and contribute every day to the safe and smooth operation of Tallinn Airport? Keep an eye on job openings on the Forus website and apply to join the aviation security team.
