Boeing has demonstrated to US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) bosses a new in-flight security camera system that allows security staff on the ground to monitor passengers.
According to a report in The Daily Telegraph, the trial involved seven cameras that sent images from a plane’s cockpit and cabin back to offices in Virginia – and the system has already attracted interest from several airlines, the newspaper reports.
A spokesman for British Airways reportedly told the newspaper that is was looking “with interest” at the system, while United Airlines confirmed that using cameras was “an option it was looking at”.
However, Virgin was less positive about the idea, stating that its own security improvements made since 11 September 2001 had improved security “immeasurably”. A spokesman reportedly told The Daily Telegraph: “We have made significant improvements to our communications with the ground, but using images would not have a significant impact. Pilots can see who is at the doors, using CCTV.”
The Telegraph’s Charles Starmer Smith reports that there are mixed views from organisations in the UK, regarding such a move; while the British Air Line Pilots’ Association is concerned that any such pictures might be leaked to the public, the Air Transport Users Council (AUC) is reportedly supportive on “any measure that might enhance passenger security”.
