Stricter security at Newcastle Airport

Security at Newcastle Airport is set to be tightened following a plea from air crews and the British Airline Pilots' Association (Balpa), reports the Chronicle.

Balpa got in touch with Newcastle Airport to advise them to stop people using laser pens at the hub after a pilot was temporarily blinded approaching Cardiff Airport in a recent incident.

Keith Bill, spokesman for Balpa, told the Chronicle: "We have urged security groups at Newcastle and the police to up patrols and be extra vigilant at the moment. Our pilots at Newcastle are extremely concerned that incidents are increasing."

Last year, pilots flying a Boeing 757 into Newcastle Aiport reported being dazzled by a high-powered green laser beam and Mr Bill claims this is not an isolated incident.

"The incident at Newcastle was a precedent to a whole spate of laser incidents at UK airports, including Heathrow," he told the newspaper.

Jet2 recently announced that it intends to fly a weekly service to Croatia from Newcastle Airport.

Posted by Graham Greenaway on the 08/10/2008 16:26:06
Read more news from FHR