Australia reviews aircraft flight deck security in face of Germanwings crash

Australian government is working with the airline industry to review aircraft flight deck security management protocols in face of the Germanwings crash, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Warren Truss confirmed Saturday.

"While the Germanwings tragedy occurred a long way from Australia, it is important that the travelling public are reassured that all reasonable measures are being taken to ensure the safety and security of the aviation sector," Truss said.

It is believed that the co-pilot of the Germanwings flight deliberately crashed the plane on the Alps, killing himself and 149 others onboard. He took the advantage of the short departure of the pilot from the cockpit and locked the latter out until the last moment.

"As a government, we have pulled together our aviation agencies, including the Office of Transport Security within my Department and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, to immediately review security regulations and procedures," Truss said.

"I want to commend the airlines for their cooperation in acting immediately to review their flight management systems to ensure they are best able to respond to the kind of circumstances which led to the Germanwings disaster."

Truss said that some Australian airlines already have in place procedures for two people to be on the flight deck at all times.

He said that in Australia, airline pilots are psychologically tested as part of their recruitment process. Pilots must also undergo at least annual medical, including mental health, checks under Civil Aviation Safety Authority licence requirements.

"We are in close discussions with the airlines about the practicalities of what more can be done to safeguard passengers from those who would seek to do harm."

"Australia's aviation safety regulations already take a preventative, layered approach to security. We are now reviewing those protocols to see if they can be enhanced further. It is vital to be sure that any proposed new procedures do not create new safety risks," he said. Endi