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CNN Live Today

European Reaction to Air Marshall Mandate From U.S.

Aired December 30, 2003 - 11:08   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: While that new U.S. mandate on marshals might make many Americans feel more secure, there is controversy about it overseas. We take you live to London now and Robyn Curnow for more. Are Britons for this?
ROBYN CURNOW, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, essentially the airline pilots here in England have said that they are really uncomfortable with the idea of having air marshals in the planes with them. They say they don't want cowboys in the cockpit with them. They're in talks with the British government to make sure how, when and why and how the scheme is going to be instituted within the British carriers.

Outside of Britain, we also know that there's been some concern and some criticism particularly from the International Air Transport which represents 280 international airline pilots. They've said that they don't want guns on board planes.

So essentially mixed reactions because there's also been quite a lot of positive and supportive feelings from airline carriers and countries around the world who basically say, It's good idea. We want to ramp up our security on board. We know that KLM Royal Dutch, the Dutch national airline is thinking of ramping up its security on board. So too the Australians and the Mexicans.

And we also know Air France and Lufthansa, the German carrier, have been using air marshals since the 9/11 terror attacks. So they say they're going to continue doing that. Maybe even institute a few more air marshals on some of their flights to the states and elsewhere. So either way we're looking at mixed reactions across the boards here in Europe to this U.S. directive -- Carol.

COSTELLO: I'm just curious about this since this is a U.S. mandate to put these air marshals on these international flights. Who's going to pay for the air marshals?

CURNOW: Well that's a good question. And that's one of the big criticisms from the International Airport Transport Association. They say government should pay. The airlines themselves should not have to carry the cost for paying, say, the seats that the air marshal will sit on while on board. They say that there's going to be no subsidies (UNINTELLIGIBLE) for these airlines. And that is a real concern.

But, of course, and there's the flip side of the question which is of course happier, more confident travelers who feel safer flying is also good for business. So I suppose there are two sides to that argument.

COSTELLO: Definitely so. Robyn Curnow, live from London this morning.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com






Aired December 30, 2003 - 11:08   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: While that new U.S. mandate on marshals might make many Americans feel more secure, there is controversy about it overseas. We take you live to London now and Robyn Curnow for more. Are Britons for this?
ROBYN CURNOW, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, essentially the airline pilots here in England have said that they are really uncomfortable with the idea of having air marshals in the planes with them. They say they don't want cowboys in the cockpit with them. They're in talks with the British government to make sure how, when and why and how the scheme is going to be instituted within the British carriers.

Outside of Britain, we also know that there's been some concern and some criticism particularly from the International Air Transport which represents 280 international airline pilots. They've said that they don't want guns on board planes.

So essentially mixed reactions because there's also been quite a lot of positive and supportive feelings from airline carriers and countries around the world who basically say, It's good idea. We want to ramp up our security on board. We know that KLM Royal Dutch, the Dutch national airline is thinking of ramping up its security on board. So too the Australians and the Mexicans.

And we also know Air France and Lufthansa, the German carrier, have been using air marshals since the 9/11 terror attacks. So they say they're going to continue doing that. Maybe even institute a few more air marshals on some of their flights to the states and elsewhere. So either way we're looking at mixed reactions across the boards here in Europe to this U.S. directive -- Carol.

COSTELLO: I'm just curious about this since this is a U.S. mandate to put these air marshals on these international flights. Who's going to pay for the air marshals?

CURNOW: Well that's a good question. And that's one of the big criticisms from the International Airport Transport Association. They say government should pay. The airlines themselves should not have to carry the cost for paying, say, the seats that the air marshal will sit on while on board. They say that there's going to be no subsidies (UNINTELLIGIBLE) for these airlines. And that is a real concern.

But, of course, and there's the flip side of the question which is of course happier, more confident travelers who feel safer flying is also good for business. So I suppose there are two sides to that argument.

COSTELLO: Definitely so. Robyn Curnow, live from London this morning.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com