Sunday, December 27, 2009

Tight security after attempted terror attack

They are also being subjected to more intensive bag and personal searches before they board flights after Nigerian man Abdul Farouk Abdulmutallab tried to set off an explosive device on a Northwest Airlines flight carrying 278 passengers to Detroit.
Airport security around the world has been raised after Abdulmutallab was allowed to board the plane in Amsterdam, even though he appeared on a terrorist watch list.
But Transport Minister Anthony Albanese said there was no need to increase Australia's security level in the wake of the failed attack.
"Australia has a world-class aviation security system," he said.
"There is no plan at this stage to increase the nature of the alerts at Australia's airports but we will continue to be vigilant and take advice on these issue."
Mr Albanese said the Detroit incident vindicated changes he made to Australia's airline security rules only days ago.
Knitting needles, nail clippers and tweezers have been allowed on flights since Christmas Day and airlines are allowed to serve food with metal cutlery for the first time since 2001.
Mr Albanese said these "commonsense" changes meant security staff were able to concentrate on ensuring items such as guns and explosives were not taken aboard aircraft.
He warned that passengers flying to and from the US would face increased security checks.
"That has meant some inconvenience for passengers, but I'm sure they will understand."

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