Flyers to America face 4-hour check-in

By SCOTT MacLEOD and JO-MARIE BROWN

New Zealanders travelling to the United States are being asked to arrive at airports four hours before their flights for tight security checks in response to the war on terrorism.

The threat to air travel was underlined yesterday by a sinister warning from the al Qaeda terrorist organisation after three nights of US-led bombing of its camps in Afghanistan.

In a video message, an al Qaeda spokesman put the United States on notice that more attacks using hijacked aircraft would be made.

"Americans should know, the storm of the planes will not stop," said Sulaiman Abu Gaith on Qatar's al-Jazeera television station.

"American interests are spread everywhere in the world," he said.

"Every Muslim should carry out his full role towards his nation and his religion."

New Zealand's Aviation Security Service yesterday advised US-bound travellers to arrive at airports four hours before their flights, rather than the usual two hours.

Other international and domestic passengers could expect shorter delays.

Most check-in counters were opening three hours before boarding yesterday.

The extra security includes hand-searching of luggage to the US and x-raying all luggage to Asia.

Other checks for those destinations and Australia are being kept secret.

At Auckland Airport, glove-wearing security guards last night rifled through passengers' bags and a policewoman walked about with a Glock pistol jutting from a holster.

About 100 Army, Navy and Air Force staff have been assigned to help Aviation Security's 206 officers at eight New Zealand airports.

In the screened-off security areas, dozens of signs warn passengers to avoid carrying nail files, scissors, corkscrews and similar items in their hand-luggage.

Californian Katie Lott, aged 23, who was waiting for her flight out of Auckland last night, said Christchurch security staff had pulled a cheese-knife, nail file and scissors from her bag.

She managed to save the items by sending them through as hold luggage.

Mandy Helm, 26, of Britain, lost a pocketknife, also at Christchurch.

"It's a bit security-conscious in New Zealand, but that's a good thing," she said.

"It's better than being on a hijacked plane."

Aviation Security general manager Mark Everitt said the delays and extra security would continue for the duration of the US action in Afghanistan.

The delays were worsened, he said, by an "astounding" number of knives, scissors and other sharp objects being found in luggage.

On Sunday alone, 397 sharp items were found in hand-luggage at Auckland's domestic terminal.

Arguments erupted between passengers and security staff who found the items.

Mr Everitt said the number of sharp objects seemed to be increasing despite repeated warnings that they should be placed in hold luggage or left at home.

"The message is clear," he said.

"Don't take these objects to the airport. You will be asked to relinquish them, you won't get them back, and you will not please the other passengers."

The Travel Agents Association's 700 member agencies have noticed fewer people wanting to travel to North America or Europe since the terrorist attacks, preferring instead to holiday in Australia, the Pacific or at home.

In al Qaeda's broadcast message, it said the US had opened "a new page of enmity and conflict" by invading Afghansitan.

"Terrorism against oppressors is a belief in our religion and our teachings," it said. "In the [Muslim] nation, there are thousands of youths who are as keen on death as Americans are keen on life."

A spokesman for the Federation of Islamic Associations of NZ, Abdullah Drury, said it was not true that "terrorism against oppressors" was accepted by Muslims.

"The Koran explicitly states you have to abide by all treaties and legal documents, even with your enemies."

Islam was opposed to killing of any kind, including suicide, he said.

"These people are essentially going against the fundamental tenets of our religion."