China's airlines will deploy aviation police on their flights starting from October 1, said sources with civil aviation regulators.

Chinese airlines will deploy aviation police starting from October 1, 2003. [newsphoto.com.cn]

The move is considered one of the most important measures to secure aviation safety, especially at a time when terrorist attacks against airlines have been increasing worldwide.

The first round of tests in 14 Chinese cities finished at the end of last month. Police who passed the tests are now receiving physical and professional training at designated aviation centres.

Aviation police have to comply with certain physical standards to ensure that they can react swiftly in an emergency during a flight, although the standards are not as strict as those for pilots.

The General Administration of Civil Aviation of China (CAAC) refused to say which kind of clothing the aviation police would wear, but industry insiders suggested that they would probably wear the same uniforms as the other crew members.

One analyst said: "This could enable them to hide their special identity while working."

The police bureau under the CAAC will be responsible for training and regulating the aviation police and it will decide the number of aviation police a particular flight should deploy.

Sources close to the bureau suggested the aviation police would probably take weapons with them but not the traditional firearms with explosive bullets.

"They may deploy some special weapons, such as electrically powered guns. The weapons could help keep terrorists under control while they secure the safety of the aircraft," the sources said.

The CAAC began to introduce aviation police late last year when it was feared that several Chinese flights risked being hijacked.

Operating costs will increase slightly because of the extra security staff, but the CAAC insisted that safety is far more important than anything else.

Chinese airlines are expected to pay for the cost of the aviation police.

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