Israeli, foreign pilots slam in-flight security system
Transportation Ministry certain it finally found perfect deterrent against hijacking of commercial planes, but pilots say they would rather deal with terrorists in cockpit than face possibility of being shot down. EU says forcing its planes to use system may threaten aviation ties with Israel
In the aftermath of the September 11 attack, the Israeli security establishment implemented a measure aimed at preventing a similar attack from occurring in Israel. The new precaution stipulates that cockpit doors remain locked during incoming flights, and passengers are instructed to remain seated 30 minutes before landing.
But recently, Israel decided to develop a system that would enable security personnel to make certain that hijacked planes do not enter Israel's airspace.
The Code Positive technology, developed by Elbit Systems, is in essence an electronic smart card that every pilot will carry in his pocket while flying to Israel. At the identification point, some 200 miles off Israel's coastline, the pilot will be given a code consisting of a few digits. He will have to transmit the code to the Israeli control tower before getting clearance to continue towards Israel.
Should the pilot feel threatened, he would transmit an emergency code communicating to the control tower he is no longer in control of the plane, at which point fighter jets will be alerted. The prime minister and defense minister will decide whether the plane will be shot down or not.
About two months ago, after the system was tested, all airlines flying to Israel were notified that they must equip their pilots with the smart card. The International Federation of Airline Pilots' Associations claimed the system may not increase security, while the International Air Transport Association announced it was rejecting the system.
The Ministry of Transportation's approach to the disagreement is that it will maintain authority over deciding "what's best for Israel's security", but the European Union's Committee on Transport and Tourism made it clear to Israel that its chances of winning the dispute were slim. The committee, which represents all European airlines, said the identification system contributes nothing to security and puts the planes at risk.
The European Commission's director of air transport, Daniel Calleja, recently wrote Giora Rom, head of Israel's Civil Aviation Authority, warning him that aviation ties between Israel and Europe were in jeopardy if European airlines would be forced to use the pilot ID system. Calleja also wrote Rom that if Israel did not cooperate with the EC on this issue, this would hurt negotiations on a unified aviation agreement between EU countries and Israel.
Suspending distribution
The stiffest opposition to the system's implementation came from home. In a letter to Transportation Minister Yisrael Katz (Likud), the Israeli Airline Pilots Association (ISRALPA) said the system was inefficient and may create problems related to security and safety.
An ISRALPA official said the test's results indicated that the identification process may interfere with the pilots' landing procedure, and also raised concerns that, due to their wide distribution, it will be difficult to prevent the smart cards from being obtained by hostile elements.
Other ISRALPA officials said terrorists who are aware of the system may try to hijack a plane after it passes the point where the pilot is supposed to activate the code. "From conversations we had with foreign pilots, we learned that they prefer to deal with the terrorists in the cockpit instead of transmitting an SOS code that will result in the plane being shot down by Israeli warplanes," one official said.
Following consultations, the Transportation Ministry announced that the system would still be implemented. On Thursday, July 29, ISRALPA officials were scheduled to meet with Minister Katz to reiterate their opposition to the system.
Katz's spokesman said the minister has decided to suspend the distribution of the system until he reaches a final decision on the matter.
Just a few days ago, two Israel Air Force fighter jets were scrambled to intercept an Ethiopian Airlines plane which failed to contact the control tower. The plane was allowed to land at Ben-Gurion International Airport only after the pilot gave the correct code.
Ethiopian Airlines is one of five airlines testing the Code Positive technology, along with Continental Airlines, Air Canada, Delta Air Lines and US Airways.
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