Britain may put air marshals on flights this week

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, December 30, 2003

Britain may put air marshals on flights this week

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The British government is planning to place undercover armed air marshals on British flights to and from America this week as a "responsible and prudent" response to the heightened terror alert in the United States, the BBC reportedon Monday.

Secretary of State for Transport Alistair Darling told the BBC that the measure will be "the last line of defense" when some people on the plane "are intent on trying to take over the plane."

The aircraft's captain will know if an air marshal is on the plane, he said.

The BBC said the air marshals, who all have police or military background, will be placed from Monday or Tuesday.

However, Darling admitted that tough talks had been necessary with reluctant airlines, while the pilot's union claimed its staff might refuse to fly, fearing the guns might get into the wrong hands.

"For a start we don't believe that guns and air travel mix," said British Airline Pilots Association general secretary Jim McAuslan, the BBC reported.

The move comes after six Air France flights between Paris and Los Angeles were canceled Wednesday for fear of a terror attack.

Extra security measures for air travel have also been put in place on the ground, the British government has said.

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