BA may accept sky marshals

Sky marshals are the latest response to the terror threat

British Airways will accept armed guards on flights if security is enhanced, its chief executive has said.

But Rod Eddington said if the airline had concerns about a particular flight's safety it would be grounded.

Senior BA managers will draw up a protocol for the use of sky marshals.

Mr Eddington also revealed how a nervous passenger sparked a false alarm at Heathrow after overhearing what was thought to be a hijack plan discussed.

False alarm

He said the alert in October came after the flight's captain told Air Traffic Control a passenger had heard a man on board say to another : "Is this the right time?"

His companion replied: "We've been planning this for six months, let's do it."

The first said "Sure?" and the second said: "Let's do it now."

Mr Eddington said: "A nervous flyer sitting behind the men overheard them, became alarmed, alerted the crew and the incident escalated".

Two Tornado fighter jets were scrambled to Heathrow airport amid fears the incoming service from Baltimore faced a hijack attempt.

But it was a false alarm -the father and son were discussing a family reunion with a long lost aunt.

"Some red faces ensued, but all ended well," said Mr Eddington.

BA's chief executive said no-one wanted to under-react to a security alert.

As for sky marshals, in a statement he said: "If indeed security on a particular flight could be enhanced by the onboard presence of an armed police officer, we would be happy to accept that fact.

"Equally, we maintain that if we have any cause for concern regarding the safety or security of a particular flight, we would simply not operate that service."

He said he was a "fan of vigilance" but not of "needless bureaucracy."

He blamed delays to a BA flight last week on security checks by the US and said the airline was working with the US Government to streamline the process.

"Last week's delays were due, in part, to the fact that a total of 22 different agencies claimed a reason to check one passenger list."

The pilots' union Balpa has advised captains not to fly with a sky marshal on board until a protocol is agreed with the government for their use.