Military "Escorts"
The world has gone mad...
THE LIVES of airline passengers are being endangered by armed military jets, which are intercepting and escorting aircraft over France as an anti- terrorism measure, French pilots' unions said yesterday.
The unions said pilots were alarmed by French Air Force Mirage jets taking up position close behind airliners without warning.
"The unions deplore this excessive security, which could endanger the lives of passengers and crew," the unions said. "It is difficult for the pilots when they are in the sights of a combat aircraft."
Mirage 2000 and F1 jets, armed with air-to-air missiles and 30mm cannon, have been escorting airliners several times a day since the French government increased security in late December.
The Mirages are routinely escorting flights arriving from the Middle East, the United States and elsewhere. (ŠThe Times, London)