9. SUE MORONEY (Labour) Link to this
to the Minister for Transport Safety
What steps has the Government taken to ensure that New Zealand is prepared to introduce new aviation security measures in March this year?
Hon HARRY DUYNHOVEN (Minister for Transport Safety) Link to this
The Government has launched a major public awareness campaign called Flysmart to inform international airline travellers about the new security measures that will be introduced on 31 March. These measures will limit the amounts of liquids, aerosols, and gels that can be taken on board aircraft in carry-on baggage on international flights departing New Zealand. The Aviation Security Service is recruiting around 160 additional staff to implement these measures and has already begun training to ensure minimum disruption to the travelling public.
Hon HARRY DUYNHOVEN Link to this
Through the Flysmart campaign the Government is advising passengers about how to pack their carry-on baggage so that they will not be delayed at the airport. Information has already been provided to travel agents and airlines to pass on to customers, and there will be plenty of signs at airports. The Government has also established the Flysmart website for international travellers. In the 2 weeks that the website has been live there have already been over 8,000 hits on the website. People are interested.
Peter BrownDoes the Minister recall a few weeks back some, I think, Indian gentlemen boarding a relatively small commercial aircraft with ceremonial knives under their garments, which made a number of passengers somewhat nervous, thinking that perhaps the plane was about to be hijacked; and, if he does recall that occurrence, what will he do to ensure that it does not happen again?
Hon HARRY DUYNHOVEN Link to this
First, I observe that the aircraft concerned was a medium-sized propeller aircraft with a range of somewhere in the order of 600 kilometres, making it really not possible to hijack it to anywhere, except maybe to the Chatham Islands on a good day if one was lucky. The security risk assessment means that we do not need to screen the aircraft; but, secondly, I observe that the pilot on the aircraft offered to look after the ceremonial knives on the flight deck, to ensure that passengers could feel less anxious about their safety.
I seek leave to table the Flysmart pack of information, which illustrates for members what is permissible and not permissible on various flights.
Madam SPEAKERHon HARRY DUYNHOVEN Link to this
I seek leave to table a pack of the typical sorts of items that members of Parliament might like to note are permissible on flights, provided they are packed like this for carry-on baggage.