Minister in talks on air passengers
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.BRITISH AIRLINES will call for tougher penalties on dangerous passengers when the industry meets with Government later today. But it is expected to back away from plans for a blacklist of disruptive passengers, because of civil liberties issues.
John Reid, the Transport minister, called a meeting of airlines, police chiefs, aviation trade unions and the Civil Aviation Authority, in the wake of the publicity surrounding the alleged attack on an air stewardess by a drunken passenger.
Steven Handy, 37, is claimed to have clubbed Fiona Weir, 31, and slashed her with a bottle on an Airtours flight from Gatwick to Malaga on 29 October.
Howard Davies, secretary-general of the British Association of Air Transport, said airlines wanted to see offenders prosecuted by the police and for the courts to impose tougher penalties. He said an assault on board an aircraft might attract two years in jail, but a similar offence committed on the high street would attract a harsher sentence.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments