A committee of European Union lawmakers on Wednesday proposed tougher restrictions on allowing armed air marshals on flights across the 25-nation bloc.
The European Parliament's transport committee wants air marshals to be permitted to carry weapons only with approval from the country granting the airline's operating license. Permission would also have to come from the country where the flight departs from and each nation along its flight path.
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 committee made the new proposals in amendments to a package of security rules put forward by the EU's executive Commission last year. Under the changes, no EU member nation would be obliged to accept air marshals.
The committee's draft will be voted on by the 732-member Parliament later this year.
The cost of security measures will be met by passengers and member nations, according to the proposed rules.
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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