Prime Minister Helen Clark says tighter security measures for smaller flights seem "inevitable" after the attempted hijacking of a plane from Blenheim last week - and it will hit passengers in the pocket.
Helen Clark said the Aviation Security Services and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) had briefed
Transport Minister Annette King and would make recommendations early next week.
"It would seem to me that some tightening of security is inevitable, but we need to think carefully about the advice we are getting and consider it carefully."
Security rules which exempt screening for weapons on planes with fewer than 90 passengers have come under scrutiny since Blenheim-based Somalian Asha Ali Abdille allegedly tried to hijack a small plane travelling from Blenheim to Christchurch.
The Prime Minister said yesterday that while New Zealand's current laws conformed with international standards, the incident "suggests to me that more must be done".
However, she warned extra security measures would probably cost passengers more money - noting any tightening of security involved costs "and that does go on a user-pays basis". She said pilot security was also an issue. Small planes do not require doors on cockpits and on the Blenheim flight the woman had gone into the cockpit area and allegedly stabbed both pilots - one seriously enough to require surgery.
Earlier in the day, Helen Clark said that introducing screening on every flight would "require a major investment at regional airports".
As well as the machine costs, there were ongoing staff costs.
The CAA has issued a security warning to airlines and airports in the wake of the attack and a second breach by a Sunday News reporter at the weekend.
- ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY NZPA
