Date:07/06/2007 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2007/06/07/stories/2007060701820700.htm

Back `Bring back the fun in flying'

Ashwini Phadnis

Airlines' move to prevent passengers from being hassled

Suggestions
A need for greater coordination between various airlines and security enforcement agencies stressed.
A system that can identify a potentially dangerous passenger when a person is checking in.
To develop a new system for data back-up and information sharing on passenger profiling.

Vancouver, June 6 Tired of piercing and obtrusive airport security, yet keen to travel?

Here is a simple way to beat airport hassles and fly easy... Just come to the airport in beachwear.

At least this was the suggestion put forward by the Chairman of Air Mauritius, Mr Sanjay Bhuckory, at the concluding session of the 63rd annual general meeting of the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

At the session on making `Sense of security: Delivering simpler, more secure passenger travel', airline officials were of the opinion that systems that bring back the fun in flying should be put in place.

Officials said that there was a need for greater coordination between the various airlines and security enforcement agencies to ensure that passengers can pass through airports without being unduly hassled.

Increased comforts

"We spend millions of pounds in doing up flat beds on the aircraft and making special cabins and the passengers experience their first evil experience at the airport before boarding a flight," the Chief Executive Officer, Virgin Atlantic Airways, Mr Steve Ridgway, said.

The Chief Executive Officer, Royal Jordanian, Mr Samer Majali, felt that one of the ways in which the situation could be improved was if the industry and governments started thinking ahead of those who want to disrupt smooth air travel.

Planning ahead

"We have been reacting to incidents. We need to have scenario planning. We need to do very basic things. Technology has developed a lot; we should be able to come up with a system that can identify a potentially dangerous passenger when a person is checking in," Mr Majali said.

Stating that another incident such as September 11 could take place somewhere in the world, the Deputy Secretary, US Department of Homeland Security, Mr Michael P. Jackson, outlined the various steps that were being taken by the US to ensure that flying was safe.

Data back-up

In this context, he mentioned that the US was working with the EU and some other countries to develop a new system for data back up and information sharing on passenger profiling.

The basic message at the end of the session was: Do not stop flying; for the time being get used to airport security checks and wait till a system, on which various security agencies globally are working, is developed that can identify a potential threat before it becomes a critical issue.