IT was complete chaos when a plane landed at Blaise Diagne International Airport (AIBD). Passengers were having trouble breathing because of a lack of oxygen, some had serious injuries, one man was badly hurt in the eye, and the crew was trying to calm the travelers who were terrified.
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The gendarmerie, police, air force, rescue teams, and medical services were all sent to the scene right away. A drone was thought to have attacked the plane.
The scene looked dramatic and disturbing, but it wasn't real. It was part of Operation "Thiely," a simulation meant to test how quickly and effectively airport, security, and health authorities can respond to a major emergency. This large-scale drill is held every two years at each airport, following international guidelines.
Colonel François Sambou, Secretary General of the High Authority of Airports of Senegal, said the exercise is required by international standards.
"It is necessary to organize, every two years, a major exercise in crisis management, safety, and security. The last one was in 2023. It was therefore essential to hold one in 2025."
Askin Demir, the general manager of LAS, which operates AIBD, said such exercises are part of the airport's emergency plan. "
Every two years, we conduct an exercise that takes into account recent threats. Around the world, the growing threat is related to drones. This year's scenario is therefore based on the intrusion of drones into airport airspace," he explained.
Operation "Thiely" involved all key stakeholders: the civil aviation authority, the police, the gendarmerie, customs, the air force, health services, private security companies, and airport assistance companies like 2AS and AIBD-SA.
"Each organization has a clearly defined role.
The exercise was led by the colonel from the airport authority. The main goal is the safety and security of the airport. These exercises help us check our preparedness, find our strengths and weaknesses, and above all, improve coordination between the different groups," added Askin Demir.
An initial debriefing has already taken place, but a more detailed analysis is planned in the coming weeks to come up with realistic recommendations.
The scenario chosen this year combined intentional security threats, including the malicious use of drones, with actual security incidents.
"In aviation, safety refers to accidental events, while security involves intentional actions. Drone attacks clearly fall under the category of security," explained Colonel Sambou.
All organizations involved in airport operations were included, with external groups taking on specific roles in the simulation.
"The goal is always to continuously improve our safety and security system. Recommendations will be made after a thorough debriefing," he stated.
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