The European Parliament on Thursday toughened restrictions on allowing armed air marshals on flights across the 25-nation bloc, permitting them to carry weapons only under strict conditions.
Air marshals must get permission from the country granting the airline's operating license, the country where the flight departs from and each nation along its flight path if they want to carry weapons on board, according to a bill on safety rules on European aircraft approved by the EU lawmakers.
After the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the United States demanded that European nations agree to place armed air marshals on selected U.S.-bound flights, but most European airlines are opposed to the idea.
The bill is part of a package of security rules put forward last year by the European Commission, the EU's executive office. Under the changes voted through by the parliament, no EU member nation would be obliged to accept air marshals.
The cost of security measures will be met by passengers and member nations, according to the bill, which goes to the EU member states for another round of legislative review before it becomes binding.
Under current rules, it is up to the individual EU governments to decide if airlines from their country can have armed marshals on board.
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