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NZers willing to do more to make travel secure

scoop.co.nz

Nearly all Kiwis say they believe more can be done by way of airport and aviation security to make domestic airline travel even more secure.

New Zealanders willing to do more to make domestic airline travel secure
Want airports and airlines to consider the same

Nearly all Kiwis say they believe more can be done by way of airport and aviation security to make domestic airline travel even more secure.

But in a clear message to airlines and airports, individuals are also prepared to take personal responsibility and accept restrictions when it comes to making flying in New Zealand secure.

When asked if they were prepared to do more personally to make domestic airline travel safe, ninety-six percent of New Zealanders said yes - opting to take at least one out of a list of seven possible actions.

As part of the August Unisys Security Index TM, New Zealanders were asked what they believed airlines, airports and individuals could do to tighten domestic aviation security.

Ninety-four per cent said they believed airlines and airports needed to consider one or more of a number of suggested actions to improve domestic airline security, including greater screening of all luggage and identity verification of every passenger.

But many Kiwis are also personally prepared to do something about making domestic airline travel safer, including having all bags electronically tagged for monitoring, arriving 30 minutes earlier for extra security screening and participating in a national traveller’s ID scheme.

Other actions New Zealanders believe airlines and airports need to consider include:

- 75% support for nationally consistent baggage screening at all NZ airports
- 75% support for nationally consistent passenger baggage tracking
- 74% support for nationally consistent screening of all commercial goods carried as cargo
- 46% support for stricter criteria on hand luggage such as a ban on liquids
- 44% support greater restrictions on vehicles at airports and people who are not passengers

“These are very interesting results for the aviation sector, as they clearly indicate that passengers believe they can do more personally by participating in additional domestic security measures,” said Brett Hodgson, Managing Director Unisys New Zealand.

“The message is clear - passengers and the industry alike can work together to tighten the security regime in New Zealand airports.”

In terms of passengers taking personal action to make domestic airline travel safer, 96% said they would undertake one or more of the following.

- Arrive 30 minutes earlier for extra screening – 74%
- Provide a fingerprint or biometric to airlines – 62%
- Participate in a ‘travellers identity’ scheme – 66%
- Stop taking items such as liquids in hand luggage – 61%
- Have all bags electronically tagged for monitoring – 81%
- Arrive at the airport via a ‘secure drop off point’ – 39%
- Pay extra for tickets for increased security – 36%

Organisations and governments today confront potential security threats that didn’t exist a decade ago, or, if they did, were not seen as such a pressing concern. These security threats are global and their effects impact individuals on a daily basis.

Unisys approach to security goes beyond ‘bits and bytes’ recognising that there are a broad set of political, economic and consumer forces that impact the security ‘ecosystem’. We believe that the most effective solutions are going to be those formed through collaboration across interests, sectors, borders and geographies.

For full details of all results of the Unisys Security Index for New Zealand, please go to www.unisyssecurityindex.co.nz.

 Printable Version  | published Aug 21, 2007