The European Parliament has recommended for the second time that governments should not only require improved pan-European aviation security standards, but also pay for them.
But the industry fears European Union member states will reject any such proposal at their forthcoming Council of Transport Ministers meeting in Luxembourg on 17-18 June.
Airports Council International (ACI) Europe director general Philippe Hamon points to the disadvantage that European carriers face in competing with their transatlantic counterparts.
He says the US government will pump $1.5 billion for 2002-03 into providing airport security equipment newly required by law, and is taking over as trainer and employer of security screening personnel. The US move came in the wake of 11 September.
Hamon says: "Many EU governments still refuse to do their duty to protect their citizens at airports and on board aircraft. This must not be allowed to continue." But the UK transport ministry says that at the EU Council it will vote against any move for states to fund airline security, stating that the user should pay.
More likely to be approved are European Parliament amendments to its civil aviation security legislation. ACI Europe says: "After recent events, we believe it's time to establish a unified system at government level, using all tools at European governments' disposal."
Meanwhile, Latin American airlines are challenging actions by the USA and their own governments since 11 September, claiming that they are being hit simultaneously by higher taxes and lower demand.
Airline chief executive officers speaking at last week's AvNews International Airline CEO conference in Miami said that increasing security costs and more restrictive regulations, which have been imposed by the USA, have placed a heavier financial burden on the already struggling Latin American aviation sector.
Latin American airlines have been threatened with fines and increased landing fees if they fail to comply with the more stringent US passenger manifest information requirements.
Source: Flight International
