Oxfordshire’s Westminster Group to help upgrade security at DRC airports

Westminster Group has secured a 10-plus-year contract to provide security services for five airports in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

The Oxfordshire firm officially signed off during last week’s UK–DRC Trade and Investment Mission, at a formal ceremony in the capital Kinshasa attended by board representatives of both Westminster and the airport authority La Regie Des Voies Aeriennes (RVA).

Their contract is for an initial period of 10 years, with a five-year renewal thereafter.

It will see the group providing comprehensive ground security operations, initially at four international airports and one national airport in the DRC.

Westminster will provide the investment and expertise required to upgrade security at the airports.

This not only includes the provision of advanced detection, surveillance, and screening equipment, but also the maintenance, training and various support services required to ensure DRC's airport security is run to the highest international standards.

The plan is to help authorities in the DRC develop and maintain world-class airport security services, opening up the potential for growth in air traffic by attracting new international carriers and commercial enterprises to the region.

Westminster will also establish an aviation security training academy to provide certified training to international standards for all aviation security staff within the country.

The contract is based on Westminster’s managed services model, successfully deployed elsewhere in Africa.

Revenues will be driven by embarking passenger numbers using the airports and funded by a per passenger fee.

Based on current international embarking passenger levels, the contract is expected to generate revenues of around £8 million in the first 12 months of operation, with potential for additional revenue from domestic traffic and cargo screening operations.

Operations and revenues are expected to formally commence in July 2024.