JEDDAH, 2 April 2003 — Airlines in the Kingdom will step up security at airports and on board in view of the war on Iraq. “We have to accept the situation that has arisen out of the on-going war and take measures without compromising safety and security in any stage of our operations,” Airlines Operators Committee (AOP) Chairman Ahmad Al-Idrissi said here yesterday.
Chairing an AOP meeting, Al-Idrissi said another measure for all airlines was to tackle the spread of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), a mysterious disease that has claimed 63 lives worldwide. “The safety manual is being updated,” he said.
The meeting was attended by airport managers and staff of the 40 airlines that are members of the AOP as well as officials from the Presidency of Civil Aviation, immigration, customs and other airport agencies.
Representatives of airlines operating to the Far East said they took precautions by screening incoming and outgoing passengers in a bid to arrest the spread of SARS.
Singapore Airlines Station Manager Jason Foo and Air-India Airport Manager S.T. Norbula said quarantine and other facilities could go a long way toward detecting not only SARS but also other infections among passengers.
