British Airways seeking security
British Airways is contemplating installing anti-missile technology on its planes amid growing fears over the safety of commercial flights.
The London-based Times newspaper reported on Thursday that the British Airways has begun talks with Boeing, a leading US Defence contractor and Airbus about installing the technology.
“We are talking with Boeing and Airbus about whether measures which are available on military aircraft could be transferred to civilian aircraft,” Geoff Want, the airline’s Director of Safety and Security told the daily.
“We are trying to understand the options but what might work for the military wont necessarily work on a civilian plane,” Want said.
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“We are talking about whether measures which are available on military aircraft could be transferred to civilian aircraft” British Airways Official |
The British Airways’ anxiousness to equip its planes with anti-missile technology follows recent security alerts over possible “terror attacks” on commercial aircraft.
Last November a shoulder-fired missile narrowly missed an Israeli charter plane with 260 tourists on board soon after it had taken off from Kenya’s Mombasa airport.
All British Airways flights to Saudi Arabia remain grounded since a recent alert.
The British Airways has also reportedly called on governments to reduce the risk of surface-to-air attacks on commercial jets by protecting land near airports which could be used as launch sites.
“Where there is a risk, the most effective measure is for the relevant authority to identify any likely launch sites near airports,” Want told the Times.