Minister of Transport and Aviation Glenys Hanna-Martin told the Guardian Monday that American Charge d’ Affaires Robert Witajewski advised her that The Bahamas is being required by the U.S. Government to implement a system whereby trained and armed sky marshals will be placed on suspect flights.
However, only Bahamasair and Laker Air will be affected by the new requirement, she said.
Although the U.S. wants the system implemented “as soon as possible,” she said, it will require a change in Bahamian laws.
The Guardian has been informed that Civil Aviation Department officials have met with relevant Ministry of National Security personnel to discuss the issue.
According to Mrs Hanna-Martin, the U. S. Government has indicated it would assist The Bahamas with training, if necessary, but the Bahamas government will have to fund the cost.
If and when the system is implemented, more than likely personnel will be selected from the Royal Bahamas Police and Defence Forces.
She said: “Because we are an archipelagic nation with a number of ports of entry scattered throughout The Bahamas, this may require sky marshals if such an alert had been raised to be at those various airports to board those flights.”
This is apparently a requirement that is being issued world-wide.
The British Government recently announced that security had been tightened for trans-Atlantic flights, and armed sky marshals may be placed aboard some aircraft.
However the British Airline Pilots Association said flight crews should have the right to decline duty aboard flights with armed personnel on board.
According to Mrs Hanna-Martin, the United States has taken a position not to allow into their airspace flights suspected of being potentially hijacked by terrorists.
“So we are in a position where I don’t think that we have much choice. We have to address the issue,” she said.
Minister Hanna-Martin said the final blueprint for the way forward will be disclosed after she has been briefed and she has been able to discuss the matter with Cabinet.
“The bottom line is we have been required by the United States Government to do this and if we do not comply, they do not have a problem with that, but they are just saying that the flight in question will not be allowed into the United States,” the minister said.
It is hoped that by the end of this week, Minister Hanna-Martin would have given the recommendations.
The reinstatement of Federal air marshals after the Sept. 11 attacks is meant to secure air travel and reassure passengers.
Reports indicate that undercover air marshals are being placed on selected flights throughout the United States and quite possibly abroad.
The Guardian has learnt that one requirement for an air marshal candidate is the completion of the advanced Federal air marshal training. The training includes courses for advanced firearms and close quarters counter-measures.
By Keva Lightbourne, The Nassau Guardian
