A member of ground crew works on a Malaysia Airlines Boeing 737-800 airplane on the runway at Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang July 25, 2014.
IN PHOTO: A member of ground crew works on a Malaysia Airlines Boeing 737-800 airplane on the runway at Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang July 25, 2014. REUTERS/Olivia Harris

The airline pilots in New Zealand have urged the government to increase security on all domestic flights and airports in view of the security threats highlighted by Prime Minister John Key, last Wednesday. The PM, in his security speech at Wellington, had alerted about many Kiwis being monitored for links with terrorist group ISIS and some watch lists of such people being maintained by intelligence agencies.

Tighten Screening

In view of the threats, the Airline Pilots Association last Thursday appealed for increasing security at New Zealand airports. The association spokesman Captain Rob Torenvlied said, "security screening should be introduced for all passengers travelling in New Zealand and it should not be just for those flying on jet aircraft as is currently the case." But Transport minister Simon Bridges shot down that demand by saying that there is no updated information that warranted an urgent review of security in various airports. According to the minister, the airport security is continually reassessed and in many cases it exceeded the international requirements.

Pilots' Rejoinder

Captain Rob Torenvlied, Technical director of the Pilots' Association in his rejoinder to the minister, expressed surprise at Bridges' comments and said it was not in line with the alert provided by the prime minister. He said the effort must be to bring the airport security procedures in New Zealand at par with international best practices, reports Stuff.co.nz. "When we compare with other developed countries, New Zealand is the odd one out. Other developed countries undertake tight screening on all flights," Torenvlied said. They even mandate the ground crew to go through metal detectors before allowing entry into airport secure areas. "This is because these people have access to very secure areas of aircraft such as cargo holds, avionics areas and cabins," he said. Torenvlied said. "I believe anyone flying in New Zealand would be happy to pay a little extra to enjoy more security and safety on their aircraft."

More Vigil

Mark Wheeler, Aviation Security's general manager also said it is government's duty to step up airport and aircraft screening. "We don't have a specific threat but we do have a range of contingencies should one of those eventuate," reported NZ Herald. Meanwhile, Defence Minister Gerry Brownlee also tried to play down the demand for extra security sought by pilots. He said it was not necessary, as the Government already restrained the travel of those on terror watchlist and they will not be flying, reported TV Nz. At present, New Zealand allows security screening on aeroplanes with 90 seats or more. There is a domestic security levy of $3.82 per passenger for security checks.