Air security plan 'nonsense', aviation industry body says

A proposal to introduce new security measures on domestic flights is "ill considered nonsense", according to the head of the Aviation Industry Association.

A government ordered review released yesterday said domestic flights of fewer than 90 seats with unscreened passengers and carry-on baggage were a high-risk area.

The review was prompted by the alleged hijacking by Asha Ali Abdille, a 34-year-old Blenheim vineyard worker of a passenger flight from Blenheim to Christchurch on February 8, 2008.

A summary of the report said drunks, the mentally ill and those holding an excessive grudge posed the biggest threat on domestic flights.

The threat of terrorism was found to be "very low".

The summary said greater screening of crew and carry-on baggage would be the best way to increase security.

The proposed measure could mean a fare increase of $5 per passenger.

But Aviation Industry Association chief executive Irene King declared today: "It's been a long time since I have read such ill considered nonsense."

The report implied New Zealand's security threat level was on a par with Australia, the United States and Canada yet at the same time, acknowledged the threat of terrorism was "very low", she said.

"How anyone can honestly present an argument that we should spend $160m over the next 10 years upgrading domestic aviation security when the upgrade won't even address the real issues is beyond belief.

"What we have here is a so called `feasible and could well occur' threat but what the report doesn't say is that screening won't actually change that threat level one jot."

Ms King asked why the aviation industry was being asked to pay for the failure of the mental health system to treat the people deemed as risks.

"Surely you look to the root cause of the problem and address that - not force more people into the family car for long distance travel.

"Where in the report is the analysis on the number of New Zealanders who are going to die or be seriously harmed as a result of choosing to drive somewhere because flying has suddenly got more expensive?"

Ms King said they did have a responsibility to assure the public they should have confidence in the industry.

"But there are many ways of addressing those issues and wasting a whole tranch of money that the economy can ill afford is just plain silly."

Other options offered by the report included strengthening cockpit doors, security committees at airports and enhanced training and education for airport workers.

The Government would make a decision on security measures next month, Transport Minister Steven Joyce said.

- NZPA