Introduction Airport security has experienced several critical transformations in the recent past. Notably, these security concerns have resulted from global insecurity occasioned by terrorism, crises and other aviation safety concerns. Creating and maintaining a comprehensive aviation security operation is multifaceted and involves many agencies and individuals responsible for aviation safety. These stakeholders may include both public and private agencies in the security domain. Developing a cost-effective plan to meet the complex and regulatory requirements and standards of modern security standards needs a critical approach that entails all the stakeholders, holistic and a technology-driven system that is highly flexible for both current and future needs. This essay focuses on aviation security operations, agencies, challenges and efforts to modernise practices for optimal performance. Aviation Security Operation Concerns Examples on negatives It is imperative to acknowledge that aviation security operation challenges exist. Since the 9/11 attacks, occasional accidents and the recent case of Malaysian Airline disappearance, aviation security operations have continued to change significantly and present new situations. Security in the aviation industry, and in any other places, should enhance continuity of operations and service provision to all stakeholders and protection of vital data and equipment. Aviation security operation should improve responses to various situations and restore normalcy. It is therefore imperative to ensure security optimisation in the aviation industry. From aviation security operation perspective, one can discern the following context. First, aviation security operation has become a major source of cost concern for many airline firms, government agencies and service providers. As a result, airport levies have increased to cater for security needs and rising costs (Huay 1-25). Second, there are ongoing changes in terms of legal and forensic needs, which aim at improving quality of services. However, there is a need to show a systematic access control. This involves controlling access to physical locations and equipment, the orderly adherence to established procedures and guidelines, security information issues, tracking and data management. Finally, aviation security operations require effective implementation. This, however, has been the major drawback for many operators. Inadequacy of infrastructures and information sharing are the major impediments to effective aviation security operation. Security is a means of lessening risks to users. Security enhances customers’ confidence. Unfortunately, recent security mishaps have shown that there are inherent inefficiencies in aviation security operations. There are cases of random interventions, redundant security measures and haphazard security operations. Moreover, there are cases of many security failures as many studies have shown. At the same time, many reports and studies have highlighted the importance of lessons lessoned from security failures and improvements (Huay 2). It is imperative to optimise security operations by enhancing communication, efficiency in resp