NZ To Consider Air Marshals, And Other Security Measures.
TOP STORY
SUNDAY, 21 OCTOBER 2001
T O P S T O R Y
Gun-toting guards set for flights
21 October 2001
By GUYON ESPINER and SARAH CATHERALL
Armed guards may be put on international flights leaving the country and screening of domestic travellers is set to become permanent as the government steps up its response to terrorism.
The crackdown on air security came as police yesterday arrested a Manawatu man accused of causing a hoax anthrax scare. The 42-year-old man was charged with wasting police time after allegedly sending an envelope with powder through the post - forcing the closure of a mail centre.
And the global war against terrorism entered a major new phase last night, as the US combat troops launched an in-and-out raid into Afghanistan in the campaign to crush the Taliban government and the al Qaeda network.
Transport Minister Mark Gosche told the Sunday Star-Times cabinet was "very likely to agree" to making screening domestic passengers, currently only a temporary measure, permanent. A law change might be required.
The minister said officials would report by December on whether armed air marshals were needed on flights leaving New Zealand and whether airlines needed to strengthen cockpit doors.
Gosche said while New Zealand was seen as a low risk country, it also had international obligations.
"You don't live in isolation in aviation security. Other countries you fly to clearly have expectations of you - otherwise they stop you - so we've got to make sure we're up to date."
Experts believe screening is needed only for passengers boarding aircraft with more than 90 seats, although Gosche said screening for smaller aircraft "could be a possibility down the track".
A spokeswoman for the minister said a decision on how permanent screening would be funded had yet to be made.
Airlines are also to remove metal knives from on-board meals.