Security committee idea welcomed

The manager of Nelson Airport has welcomed new Ministry of Transport rules requiring regional airports to set up security committees.

The ministry is requiring eight regional airports that regularly have flights with 19 or more passengers to set up the committees, something which New Zealand's main airports already have.

The plan is part of a larger aviation security review, which was ordered by the previous government after Blenheim woman Asha Ali Abdille allegedly attempted to hijack a Blenheim to Christchurch flight in February 2008.

In May, Transport Minister Steven Joyce ruled out spending $160 million over 10 years to tighten airport security and introduce screening, instead opting to install and strengthen planes' internal doors to cockpits.

Nelson airport manager Kaye McNabb said the new committee would include representatives of airlines, terminal operators, aviation security and police.

The parameters of the committee were still being worked through with the ministry, but Mrs McNabb fully supported the plan. "I think it is a great idea as an alternative to turning airports like ours into full security airports ... It's a massive saving in potential expenditure, and is much more appropriate for the risk.''

Mrs McNabb said the airport already had regular safety and security meetings, and its systems were audited by an outside agency.

"We would expect at airports such as ours, and Blenheim's, the risk comes from a seriously disaffected person.

"It's increasing people's awareness and skills and ability to pick those up.'' She did not expect the requirements to affect how the airport operated.

"We are expecting we will be able to incorporate the agenda into our safety and security meetings, and so we don't expect huge changes as a result of this.''

The ministry had said it would like each new committee to have met at least twice before the start of the Rugby World Cup in September 2011. Mrs McNabb said she expected Nelson's first security meeting to be held within six months.

Abdille is to appear in the High Court in Christchurch on December 4 to set a new trial date after her trial was adjourned in September.

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