Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, August 10, 1995 TAG: 9508100074
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: WASHINGTON LENGTH: Medium
Other means of travel may also face increased scrutiny, officials said. They refused to say what prompted the move.
The airlines encouraged passengers to come to airports early, though federal officials contended the new precautions should not disrupt travel.
Airlines reported no immediate disruptions related to the security alert Wednesday. However, a power failure affecting air traffic control in Northern California affected some flights there.
The new security requirements were announced Wednesday by Transportation Secretary Federico Pena, a day after the Federal Aviation Administration notified airlines and airports of the steps. Pena said the measures ``will be maintained as long as necessary and will be adjusted as necessary.''
Mark Courtney, a spokesman for the Roanoke Regional Airport, said the airport will be increasing security, but neither passengers nor visitors to the airport will be inconvenienced by the changes.
"We're going to be implementing enhanced security measures, as well, consistent with the commercial service airports around the country," Courtney said. For security reasons, he declined to say what those new measures would be.
Chris Chiames of the Air Transport Association said the measures would probably not delay most travelers, and would concentrate on surveillance and behind-the-scenes activities.
Pena said at a news conference in Des Moines, Iowa, ``I want to emphasize that we do not have any specific information indicating that airlines or airports or any other part of our national transportation system is specifically threatened.
``I believe, however, that it is prudent and reasonable to take these additional measures in order to prevent and deter any possible criminal or terrorist acts.''
Pena said the move was prompted by ``information provided by federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies, which I am not at liberty to discuss.''
While officials declined to discuss any specific threat, several factors reportedly played a part in the decision to tighten security, including the planned visit of Pope John Paul II to the United States and a meeting of the United Nations General Assembly next month.
by CNB