VietNamNet Bridge – Passengers causing violent disturbances in airports, flights and control centres will be banned from air travel for life, a new Government decree on aviation security states.

The regulation also applies to passengers who do not comply with administrative punishments for civil aviation violations, those who disrupt normal operations and those who threaten to use bombs, explosive devices, nuclear materials and bio-weapons in airports and on flights.

Flyers who use fake papers and violate regulations in airports and flights will be prohibited from travelling by air for three to 12 months, according to the new decree.

Passengers who again violate the regulations will be banned from air travel for 12 to 24 months, it stated.

The decree also stated that security officials on flights will be armed under the command of captains.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Viet Nam (CAAV) recently assigned its Aviation Security Department to prepare security standards to be applied at airports and relevant agencies.

However, local media have reported serious problems relating to aviation safety, including an increase in the number of thefts.

The CAAV has requested that airports and other relevant agencies take measures to clearly determine the responsibilities of their staff members in case of thefts of checked luggage or air transported goods.

The CAAV stressed the consideration of the responsibilities of the heads of all units related to handling luggage and goods when a theft occurs.

Thefts must be reported to local air security forces and airport authorities immediately, which will in turn refer the cases to police for investigation, the CAAV said.

The CAAV also called for improvements to security infrastructure at all airports to strengthen the efficiency of the detection and prevention of thefts.

The civil aviation authority has asked the Airports Corporation of Viet Nam to build air security fences at all airports.

The Ministry of Transport has convened a series of conferences in recent years on aviation safety and security to look into the numerous incidents that have threatened the reputation of the local aviation industry.

Aviation authorities asserted that there remain many loopholes regarding aviation security due to the lack of close coordination between authorities and air carriers.

VNS