Searches likely to delay flights

Press, 19 August 1981, Page 1

Searches likely to delay flights

By

LES BLOXHAM,

travel editor

Threats by HART to further disrupt Air New Zealand’s flights have resulted in tighter airport security for domestic passengers. Delays will be unavoidable during the next few weeks as security staff screen passengers on selected flights and examine the contents of their carry-on bags. Many travellers will also be required to pass through metal detectors that are used as a matter of course for those departing on international flights. Security will be at its tightest during week-ends and on weekdays when the springboks have scheduled matches. Until now New Zealand has been one of the few countries in the world where domestic air passengers have not been subjected to strict security checks. That ended yesterday after HART’S campaign against Air New Zealand.

HART is annoyed that the airline is carrying members of the Springbok rugby team round New Zealand.

On Saturday, eight antitour protesters who illegally

boarded a Boeing 737 at Auckland are alleged to have emptied phials of an “evilsmelling” chemical inside the aircraft. Passengers who were already on board waiting for the flight to leave for Wellington had to disembark and wait for a replacement aircraft. Mr M. A. Ramsden, the airline’s general manager (commercial), said yesterday that the chemicals had caused damage estimated at $l5OO.

In an earlier incident, protesters at Wellington Airport ran on to the runway as a Friendship was approaching. The captain was forced to apply full power only a short distance from the end of the runway and abort the landing.

Security was increased after both incidents, but the big clampdown came yesterday after a warning by Mr Minto that protesters would make further attempts to obstruct runways and occupy aircraft.

Air New Zealand’s chief executive; Mr John Wisdom, has described HARTs threats as irresponsible and provocative.

The airline was non-dis-criminatory towards whom it would carry, he said. This stand is exemplified by the airline's decision to provide on charter two aircraft to fly anti-tour demonstrators from Wellington to Nelson in time for the springboks-Nelson Bays match on Saturday. The flights have been arranged by the travel bureau of the Wellington branch of the University Students’ Association for the protest group, C.0.5.T., at a total cost of about $7300. The travel bureau’s manager, Mr David Cuthbert, who is also a prominent member of HART, said yesterday that he was not certain that C.O.S.T. would proceed with the charters.

“Scheduled flights are available and students could qualify for standby discounts of 50 per cent,” he said. “Another problem is that one of the charter flights has to return to Wellington at 9 p.m. on Saturday, which could be a little early if any members of the group are arrested.

"They might still be in police custody at that time," Mr Cuthbert said.