DAVID LEARMOUNT / LONDON
Despite defiance, countries look set to comply with request
Several governments have reacted defiantly to the US request that foreign carriers field armed sky marshals on selected flights to the USA, but look like complying. Meanwhile, the gap between onboard security policies in Europe and the USA remains wide, with European pilot unions making it clear they are unhappy about having guns on board, and US unions voting for pilots to be armed.
On 21 December, the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) secretary Tom Ridge raised the nation's threat advisory level from Code Yellow - "elevated risk of terrorist attack" - to Code Orange, "high risk". All the onboard security proposals are related to the undisclosed intelligence that led to the threat upgrade. Increased security, said Ridge, would extend "around the holiday period and beyond".
On 24 December, Air France cancelled six flights to and from Los Angeles, but would not say whether the flights had been refused entry, or whether the French government had been supplied with intelligence that led to the cancellations.
Non-US airlines await guidance from their governments on the response to US requests that any US-bound flight should, on advice from Washington, have an armed security guard on board. The governments' responses have varied, but all suggest they will comply if the USA provides credible intelligence on which to base their decision.
The UK, which has had trained police prepared for armed onboard security duties since December 2002 - and may have used them covertly in the meantime - has indicated compliance with the US requests. But the Department for Transport made clear: "Only the UK can authorise the placing of air marshals on UK carriers."
The German government authorised Lufthansa to carry armed sky marshals on some flights soon after the 11 September attacks.
The British Air Line Pilots Association (BALPA) would rather not have guns on board. But if this is to happen, it wants the government to discuss the rules of engagement and inform the aircraft's captain when armed security staff are on board. On 30 December BALPA advised its members not to fly with marshals on board until agreement is reached with the government.
Policing the skies
Security development since 11 September 2001
2001 September: US sky marshals concept put forward October: Australia, Canada and Germany prepare sky marshal plans December: Reinforced cockpit doors planned. US sky marshal programme announced 2002 June: US Department of Homeland Security created by Congress. Congress approves guns in cockpit December: UK announces armed police ready for deployment 2003 April: Deadline for cockpit doors in US registered and US-bound aircraft to be reinforced 16 December: Department of Homeland Security (DHS) wins agreement from European Commission on Named Passenger Record in return for limited use guarantees 21 December: DHS upgrades US threat assessment level from Code Yellow to Code Orange 24 December: Air France cancels six flights to and from Los Angeles 29 December: USA requests foreign carriers to field armed sky marshals on notified flights to USASource: Flight International
