Profits before safety

HACAN ClearSkies claims that airports are putting profits before the safety and security of their passengers

Pressure group HACAN ClearSkies claimed that airports are putting profits before the safety and security of their passengers. In the week when governments warned that terrorists may be turning cameras into weapons or bombs (1), tests carried out by HACAN ClearSkies reveal that bottles, bought at duty-free, can be brought on to planes by passengers.

A HACAN ClearSkies member, travelling to Thailand from Heathrow, deliberately tried to take a bottle of wine and a small pair of scissors on to the plane. The security refused to allow him to take the scissors, but raised no objection to the bottle of wine. When the member pointed out that, on the plane, he could smash the bottle and cut people’s throats with the glass, the security continued to insist it was not a forbidden item.

John Stewart, the Chair of HACAN ClearSkies, “Our test showed that airports are prepared to put profits before the personal security of their passengers. They make no money on scissors, whereas they do a roaring trade in bottles of wine or perfume. For that reason they clearly regard these bottles as a cut above things like a pair of scissors.”

Notes for Editors

  1. It has been reported this week that the CIA has warned that teams of al-Qa’da suicide-hijackers could be plotting to seize airliners using everyday items, such as cameras, turned into bombs or weapons.

For more information:

John Stewart on 0207 737 6641 or 0757 385650 (Thursday, Friday and Saturday only — thereafter on a week’s holiday).

Mike Riley, HACAN ClearSkies spokesman, 019327 61325 or 0781 0007477

Monica Robb, Vice Chair HACAN ClearSkies, 0208 876 0455.