24 April 2009

Domestic Aviation Security Report Ill-considered

Commenting on the recently released report into New Zealand’s domestic aviation security threats, Irene King, Chief Executive of the Aviation Industry Association, said “it’s been a long time since I have read such ill considered nonsense.”

The report implies New Zealand’s security threat level is on a par with Australia, the United States and Canada yet at the same time, actually acknowledges the threat of terrorism is “very low”.

“How anyone can honestly present an argument that we should spend $160m over the next 10 years upgrading domestic aviation security when the upgrade won’t even address the real issues is beyond belief.

“What we have here is a so called “feasible and could well occur” threat but the report doesn’t say is that screening won’t actually change that threat level one jot. The reason being is that the threat is an underlying one. Aviation around the world deals with this threat and it’s not addressed by screening.

“Why is aviation being asked to pay for the failure of another government agency here in New Zealand to adequately treat these people? Surely you look to the root cause of the problem and address that – not force more people into the family car for long distance travel.

“Where in the report is the analysis on the number of New Zealanders who are going to die or be seriously harmed as a result of choosing to drive somewhere because flying has suddenly got more expensive?

“From their own analysis, officials know people are 6 times more likely to die in a motor vehicle accident than from aviation. Where’s the cost benefit analysis for the country on that?

“Yes we do need to assure the public to have confidence in the safety and security of air travel but there are many ways of addressing those issues and wasting a whole tranch of money that the economy can ill afford is just plain silly.

“What the Government needs to do is look towards solutions which actually address the threat. The report’s recommendations don’t do that.”

ends

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