Airline security to be boosted

All hand luggage will be submitted to security checks Keystone Archive

A Swiss-led conference in Montreal has decided to improve airline global security standards in the wake of the September 11 attacks.

The special session of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), called in response to the September events, agreed on a series of short-term measures.

All hand luggage will now be screened before passengers board aircraft. “This is something we’ve had in Switzerland for quite some time, but it is something new for many countries,” said Urs Haldimann of the Swiss Civil Aviation Office.

The conference chairman told swissinfo that all international security standards would also become applicable on domestic flights as well.

A worldwide auditing system for airports and administrations is also in the works, but it will require approval by government ministers before it is implemented. This should however be done by early 2002.

In Europe, an audit handbook exists since the beginning of the year and auditors are being trained to guarantee consistent security standards throughout the continent.

“We came to the conclusion we need a worldwide standard,” Haldimann told swissinfo. “But we also believe it must be implemented properly, otherwise it would be useless.”

Cockpit doors

The issue of cockpit doors has yet to be resolved. Aircraft manufacturers have been studying ways of reinforcing cabin doors to make them bullet and bomb proof.

The ICAO’s security panel believes strengthening the door and keeping it closed is a good idea, but presents some problems.

“For safety reasons, the door sometimes has to remain open,” Haldimann told swissinfo. “But our panel says the door should remain shut as far as it is practical.”

Experts from all across the industry took part in the meeting, which was called in response to the September 11 terrorist attacks in the United States. The experts included representatives from Boeing and Airbus, as well as operation and certification specialists.

The new guidelines will be built on an existing agreement with the ICAO. This is part of the Chicago Convention, which outlines worldwide security measures.

Following the tragedy in the United States, security has been stepped up considerably at public buildings and airports around the world.

Luggage restrictions and searches are being widely enforced and the presence of security personnel has also been increased. Airline companies have also been studying the option of arming the personnel onboard their planes.

swissinfo