NZ plane incident poses security questions

Christchurch, NZ: Friday's chaos in Christchurch will leave the aviation sector weighing up the safety risks compared to passenger convenience, and the cost of screening every flight.
The policy at New Zealand's domestic terminals is similar to Australia, where the screening of passengers' hand luggage only applies to aircrafts with more than 90 seats.
The actual responsibility for security lies with the government run Aviation Security Service. It decides along with the airlines what measures are needed in each airport.
The government had swiftly ordered aviation security to start screening local travellers within 24 hours of 9/11. Since then the rules have been relaxed.
Police Minister Annette King, who was caught up in the drama in Christchurch, has asked for an urgent report into what has happened. She also asks the public to be reasonable.
"This could have been a person getting on a bus. Are we going to screen everyone on the bus? This could have been someone in the street. Let's just wait till we get the reports and see what they've got to say, " King says.
08/02/08 TVNZ, New Zealand

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Categories: Foreign Feb 2008, Safety Feb 2008