Air marshalls planned on Spanish flights

Balearic airports could eventually be fitted with state-of-the-art eye, voice and finger print operated security controls as part of a new nationwide overhaul of airport and airline security. The 100 per cent screening of all luggage and hand luggage came into effect on January 1 and while, “Spanish airports are secure,” according to head of the Guardia Civil's border department, Pedro Izquierdo Sánchez, “not enough security measures have been taken. “The threat is much greater than before and much more sophisticated,” he added. Another feature of the new airport and airline security plan could be air marshals with the Guardia Civil establishing a special air security wing. Sánchez said over the weekend that a number of countries have adopted air marshal security plans and it is a very real option in Spain. However, while the Guardia Civil fully support the initiative the final decision will have to be taken by the government. Sánchez says that security in the air has to be an integral part in security measures on the ground and cabin crews have been and still are going to special security training courses. More courses are being organised at the request of the airlines. However, as yet, the Guardia Civil does not feel there is a need to introduce passenger questioning, similar to that carried out in the United States and Israel, with regards to where a passenger is from and the purpose of his or her visit etc. Sánchez believes that the 100 per cent screening of all luggage provides enough information to whether a passenger is dangerous or not.