Airlines facing flights upheaval and job losses

Fare rises and more delays likely

Special report: Terrorism in the US Guardian Unlimited Travel

Keith Harper, transport editor Thursday September 13, 2001 The Guardian

Britain's aviation industry last night faced an unprecedented upheaval, involving tighter security, the possibility of thousands of job losses, and increased fares. At the same time, the government warned that any plane venturing into airspace over central London was likely to be shot down. All aircraft movements over the heart of the capital are banned until further notice. The flight path into Heathrow airport passes close to the Canary Wharf skyscraper and along the Thames over parliament.

A government source confirmed that the military was now "effectively guarding London and we must expect the RAF to shoot down any intruders". Contact between air traffic controllers and the Ministry of Defence has been tightened.

Phil Butterworth-Hayes, civil aviation editor of Jane's Information Group, said the terrorist attacks would have a catastophic effect on world aviation, with a big fall in passenger numbers. Those who did travel could expect delays from increased security. Passenger identification would have to become more sophisticated.

Mr Butterworth-Hayes said the Lockerbie crash more than a decade ago had a dramatic effect on aviation and Pan-Am went out of business. "But this is far worse and is the blackest day that aviation has ever had."

Two of Britain's biggest carriers, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic, combined to help passengers diverted from other flights.

The impact on both will be significant, particularly as they rely for a large part of their income on the North Atlantic routes, which could remain closed for the rest of the month.

BA's problems, which have been mounting over the past few months, will result in an acceleration of job losses. The company has already announced 1,800 to go by next March and will bring forward thousands more. BA could plunge into the red next year, and other medium sized airlines will inevitably go out of business.

The government issued a mandatory directive ordering airlines to introduce a second inspection for all passengers.

A Department of Transport spokesman said: "The order will be imposed indefinitely. It will cost the airlines more money but they must carry out a further search of all passengers and hand luggage at airport gates."

Ministers will have urgent discussions with the airlines on other security checks. Technology could be introduced in which passengers would be identified by their handprints.

A priority will be how the industry can make aircraft less vunerable to terrorist attack.

The view in the industry is that the hijackers must have killed the pilots as they were approaching New York, leaving the terrorists to steer the doomed planes into the World Trade Centre.

One industry source said that the airlines and the two big manufacturers Boeing and Airbus will discuss fixing bulletproof barriers to bulkheads, separating the pilot's cabin from the rest of the plane.

"It sounds callous, but it is better for some lives to be lost on board an aircraft if a pilot can land a plane safely," the source said.

Security measures were tightened at Heathrow, with extra police drafted in, and London's City airport was closed until further notice because of the government's restrictions over the capital.

Thousands of passengers were stranded at Heathrow overnight, many on BA flights. BA is believed to be losing £7m a day on the North Atlantic route.

Low cost carrier Ryanair has banned all hand luggage and EasyJet cancelled more than 30 flights to prevent passengers being subjected to long delays.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,3604,550955,00.html

-- Martin Thompson (mthom1927@aol.com), September 13, 2001