The Association of European Airlines calls upon the EU ministers for transportation and interior affairs to co-ordinate their actions throughout the EU in the wake of the recent foiled terrorist plot in London.
Harmonisation of security measures is essential to ensure safe travel by air, whilst maintaining efficient and hassle-free airline services. However, where specific threats have been identified, as is the case today in the UK, the state concerned must be able to take specific measures to meet that threat. "The last thing the aviation sector needs is confusion," Ulrich Schulte-Strathaus, Secretary General, comments. "The US is imposing extra measures on flights originating outside the US without proper communication to airlines' national governments. This places airlines in the difficult situation of having to implement rules that might conflict with their national rules."
AEA has always maintained that security should be risk-based. In higher risk situations such as that experienced in the UK, all operators, including airports, should be able to adapt their measures without causing extreme disruption to their customers. "The US government has increased airport screening staff by 50% since 10 August," says Schulte-Strathaus. "Being able to call on extra staff to assist passengers should be part of any airport contingency plan."
"The uncovered terrorist plot, once again, constituted a threat against states, not against airlines. This shows once more how crucial government involvement is – not only in imposing measures, but also in helping implement them and finance them." Airlines have indeed been under a heavy financial burden since 9/11; since the European Commission recently recognised that security could and should be publicly financed, the reimbursement of losses incurred by the industry in the last few days will have to be addressed at EU level.
"Our first priority is ensuring the safety and security of our passengers," continues Schulte-Strathaus. "The terrorist plan has been warded off, and that's the main thing. Passengers understand the exceptional circumstances, in spite of the inevitable frustrations caused. The important issue of passenger compensation, in light of the government's responsibilities, will have to be addressed as a next step."
"What passengers do not want is political actionism which does nothing to enhance the already high security levels. What we need is consistent, risk-based, security, which passengers can trust and understand."
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