MEPs adopt new rules on aviation security
The new rules will offer security and flexibility, say MEPs (Photo: EUobserver.com)
ELITSA VUCHEVA
12.03.2008 @ 09:21 CET
MEPs adopted common rules and standards in the field of aviation safety on Tuesday (11 March), including the idea of having security officers – or sky marshals – on flights across the 27-nation bloc.
According to the new rules, sky marshals operating on flights will also be able to carry weapons – but only under strict conditions.
Their presence on board will not be obligatory and it will be up to member states to decide on the matter. But if they decide to use the security officers, they will have to be "specially selected and trained".
The rules also harmonise screening of passengers and cabin luggage, access control and security checks across the 27-nation bloc.
They will replace previous rules adopted after the attacks on 11 September 2001 in the US.
"Terrorism forces us to change the way we live our lives," Italian liberal MEP Paolo Costa in charge of the aviation security dossier told the European Parliament's plenary assembly in Strasbourg.
His British centre-right colleague, Philip Bradbourn, added: "In light of the ongoing terrorist threat, we believe clear rules on security and common implementation across European airlines are absolutely necessary."
The new rules also allow the EU to react "more flexibly", said Mr Costa, according to Reuters news agency.
"Security is a clear priority for us. Controls must be strict and efficient, but must not lead to excessive inconveniences for the passengers," he said.
The flexibility could include a progressive lifting of the restrictions on carrying liquids on board.
According to German centre-right MEP Georg Jarzembowski, machines already exist that could establish whether liquids are dangerous or not.
The new rules allow special measures such as the one restricting the volume of liquids allowed on board planes to also be introduced by member states in the future, but only if they are "relevant, objective, non-discriminatory and proportional" to the risk.
The regulation was adopted with 583 votes in favour, 21 against and 35 abstentions.
But a compromise on what had been the main point of discord between the bloc's three institutions – who should pay the bill for additional security measures – has yet to be found.
The parliament wanted the costs to be shared between passengers and member states, unless a government should want to impose even more stringent measures, in which case it should cover the whole bill.
The council, representing member states, had insisted that all costs be paid by airlines.
In the end, MEPs and member states could not agree on who should pay for what, as the European Commission is due to presenet a proposal on the matter by the end of this year.