Air NZ willing to allow armed marshals

By STUART DYE

Air New Zealand will allow gun-carrying marshals on its flights to the United States if requested.

Australia's national airline, Qantas, said yesterday it would comply with any US demand to put air marshals on flights to the US.

In response to Herald inquiries, Air New Zealand said last night that it would also comply with such a request.

Both airlines said they had not been asked to take any extra security measures.

If a US demand were received, it would be a matter first for the New Zealand and Australian Governments and aviation authorities to consider, they said.

Airlines that refuse to co-operate could be denied entry to the US.

It is understood police would be asked to act as air marshals in New Zealand.

"No request has been made to police at this stage," said Superintendent Neville Matthews. "We would consider it if and when a request was made."

Airline Pilots' Association spokesman Garth McGearty said the association had not been consulted over the matter.

"At this particular stage we don't think there's a position that needs to be taken because as far as we're aware, nobody has made a request for it. At this stage it's speculation."

Airline security is on high alert worldwide. Flights from Europe to the US have been held up in the past fortnight and American authorities have tightened screening procedures for incoming passengers.

British Airways said at the weekend that armed marshals would be on some flights.

British pilots' union representatives now want to meet the Government to discuss the plan, which they reluctantly accept.

Some US aircraft have been carrying federal sky marshals since the September 11 terror attacks in 2001, but the practice remains a sensitive matter in many countries.

Holiday operator Thomas Cook Airlines said yesterday that it would cancel flights if anonymous sky marshals were on board.

Qantas head of security Geoff Askew said the Australian Government would pay to train the sky marshals and the airline would pay for their seats.

Australia already has a deal with Singapore to place air marshals on flights between the countries.

The cost of those seats on Qantas flights will be shared by the airline and the Government.

Air New Zealand has about 19 flights a week from Auckland to the US, all landing in Los Angeles.

"We would go with what our Government and the Civil Aviation Authority recommended," said airline spokesman Mark Street.

Civil Aviation Authority spokesman Bill Sommer said the position had not changed since the first contact from the US just after Christmas. New Zealand had not been asked to put air marshals on any flights.

"We need to concentrate on security before anything or anyone unwanted gets on board," he said.

A US move to fingerprint and photograph selected visitors will affect those New Zealanders who require visas to enter the US.