Air Travel Has Become Safer

In a recent report, the fifth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on the United States — IATA CEO Giovanni Bisignani said the foiled London terror plot last month was a reminder of the "tremendous progress" made on security since 2001.

Police and intelligence services foiled an attempted plot to blow up aircraft using liquid explosive devices, but the resultant security measures that were introduced caused major disruptions at several airports. "We have a more secure air transport system. The system worked and the terrorists were stopped before they got to the airport. Police and intelligence should be congratulated. Passengers should be reassured that air transport continues to be the safest mode of transport," he said. He added, however, that the events in the UK were also a wake up call that further work is needed. He said contingency planning must improve, governments must take full responsibility for the costs of security and security measures must be harmonised across borders. Governments must pay for security. He said advance planning to secure necessary resources from governments through military or civilian security organisations is critical.

"The wake-up call to the entire industry — particularly airports — is clear:there must be better contingency planning and coordination. "The impact of terrorism is felt across society. Aviation, rail, public buildings, tourist destinations, and hotels, among others, are all potential targets. Rightly, governments are taking responsibility to better protect their citizens. Wrongly, too many governments single-out aviation to pay for its own security." He said this cost is now US$5.6 billion a year more than it was prior to 2001. "The security threat to aviation is driven by global geo-political issues.

Governments cannot justify protecting citizens in parks, stadiums and train stations, but passing the buck to industry when citizens enter airports to board planes," he added. However, he said, there had been some progress. The US government partially reimbursed the costs to secure cockpit doors and the European Commission, in a recent report, recognised that responsibility for security costs rests with governments. He added that governments must also coordinate more closely.  "Air transport is safe because governments and industry share information to standardise procedures across borders. In the aftermath of September 11, governments strengthened security, but missed the boat on harmonisation.

Even now, airlines battle bureaucracy because governments have not talked to each other. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is now engaging the industry in its discussion on security. Governments must support ICAO's leadership to move the industry forward. "At the same time, the US and Europe must move quickly to avoid a potential crisis over the Atlantic. Five years after 9/11 and we still have no agreement on common requirements for passenger information. Airlines should not have to decide which country's laws to break," he said. Figures supplied by IATA show that the global airline industry has incurred losses of more than $40 billion since 2001, with the biggest annual loss — $13-billion — recorded in 2001. Before 9/11 the global airline industry was profitable. Airlines are expected to post losses of $1.7-billion this year.

travel.iafrica.com

12 September 2006