Governments should pay for extra air security-IATA

PARIS, Aug 19 (Reuters) Governments should meet the costs of extra security imposed at airports since British police said they had foiled a plot to blow up transatlantic airliners, the International Air Transport Association said today.

In an interview published in France's Le Monde newspaper, IATA's chief executive Giovanni Bisignani said British airport operator BAA had not been well enough prepared to deal with the consequences and more international cooperation was needed to tackle the threat of terrorism.

Bisignani said airlines faced combined extra security costs of 5.6 billion dollars a year since the September 11, 2001, attacks in the United States and governments had to shoulder part of the responsibility.

Asked if governments should pay for the extra costs arising from strengthened security imposed this month, the industry group's chief replied: ''Absolutely.'' He continued: ''Most of the security problems with which we are confronted are not directly linked to air traffic. National security comes under the responsibility of governments. They should therefore assume the responsibility for the bill.'' He said there was no reason why stations and stadiums should benefit from state subsidies but not airports or airlines.

Bisignani said recent experience showed BAA needed to be better prepared.

''BAA's efforts to protect itself against such a crisis were insufficient. They were not prepared for the extra work related to security being reinforced to such a level.'' Michael O'Leary, the boss of Europe's largest low-cost airline Ryanair, yesterday threatened to sue the British government for compensation if it did not scale back security measures in seven days, saying the transport chaos had cost it 2 million pounds (3.8 million dollars).

British airline Virgin Atlantic also expressed frustration with BAA and suggested the government should consider covering part of the bill.

Bisignani also called for more international cooperation.

''International cooperation was the key to last week's success.

We need more of it. We need more harmonisation at the international level. Terrorism is not going to disappear and the threats posed are going to change.'' REUTERS SSC BD2121