Air Botswana steps up security

| Tuesday April 3, 2007 00:00

 

The new security measures specify strictures on the carrying of liquids, aerosols and gels (LAGS). They were to be effected yesterday (Monday).

The directive says passengers on international flights out of South Africa must comply with the new controls on the 'carrying on board of LAGS', which became a controversy after they were introduced in the aftermath of the bold 'terror' strikes on the US September 11, 2001.

These items must now be carried in containers with a capacity of not more than 100 millilitres each.

'Liquids, aerosols and gels of less than 100ml in volume that are carried in part-filled containers larger than 100ml will not be accepted', said an AB spokesperson, apparently elaborating on the directive.

Further, LAGS can only be carried on board the aircraft in transparent re-sealable plastic bags of a capacity of not more than one litre.

The items must fit comfortably in a bag, which must be completely closed. Each passenger may carry only one such bag.

'Many of our passengers travelling from Gaborone and Maun to Johannesburg connect with international flights out of South Africa,' the AB spokesperson said.

'We ought to alert them to the new security measures that are being implemented at airports in South Africa so that they may make the necessary adjustments for their connecting flights out of that country.

'And, of course, the controls also apply to our passengers boarding flights to Botswana from South Africa,' he said.  

The move follows two incidents of hijacking involving Air Botswana.

The first involved a West African passenger on board a flight between Gaborone and Johannesburg who threatened to detonate explosives.

The other involved an Indian man on an AB flight between Sir Seretse Khama International Airport and Johannesburg's OR Tambo International Airport. Both incidents were hoaxes.