*EPF415 09/13/01
Text: Transportation Dept. Press Release on Air Travel
(U.S. airspace starting to reopen, Mineta says) (500)
Secretary of Transportation Norman Mineta says that U.S. airports can start reopening September 13 but they will have to meet new stringent security measures before flights can resume.
The airports will be allowed to reopen on a case-by-case basis, after they meet security measures that include a cancellation of curbside and off-airport check-in, restrictions on access to boarding areas, and increased presence of law enforcement officers, said Mineta in a September 13 press release.
Speaking to reporters in Washington, September 13, Mineta said agents from the Treasury and Justice Departments will be at airports to help U.S. air marshals tighten on-board security.
The Transportation Department is also considering using members of the Delta Force, a military counter terrorist unit, to help boost air travel safety.
Mineta said passengers should arrive at airports early to deal with new security procedures. Prior to the September 11 hijacking of four U.S. planes, U.S. airlines advised passengers to check in one hour before domestic flight's departure time and two hours before international flight's departure time.
Following is the text of the Transportation Department's press release:
(begin text)
Statement of U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta
Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta has ordered the national airspace system re-opened to commercial and private aviation, effective at 11 a.m. Eastern time [1600 GMT] Thursday [September 13].
The Secretary's decision was made after a series of meetings throughout the day and night Wednesday with White House and Cabinet officials, Federal Aviation Administration Administrator Jane Garvey, aviation industry leaders, as well as intelligence and law enforcement representatives.
"The re-opening of our national airspace is good news for travelers, for the airlines and for our economy," Secretary Mineta said.
"But I must caution everyone that a system as diverse and complex as ours cannot be brought back up instantly.
We will re-open airports and resume flights on a case-by-case basis, only after they implement our more stringent levels of security. This phased approach will assure the highest levels of safety, which remains our primary goal.
Anyone planning on flying should check with their airline regarding the level of service and flight schedules, and be sure to allow plenty of time to deal with our new security procedures.
There will be some inconveniences, but safety will be the first element of our system to be restored," the Secretary said.
On Wednesday, Secretary Mineta had approved a limited re-opening of the system, allowing aircraft diverted during Tuesday's terrorist attacks to continue to their destinations or be repositioned in anticipation of today's decision.
At the same time, he announced a series of heightened security measures, including a ban on curbside luggage check-in and off-airport passenger check-in.
Before being allowed to re-open, airports must clear their terminals of people and conduct thorough searches.
Once re-opened, airports will feature an increased presence of law enforcement officers, restricted access beyond the screening area and other restrictions.
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(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http//usinfo.state.gov)
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