An investigation begun into how Anthony France,undercover reporter working for the Sun. He claims he smuggled fake bomb equipment onto a Thomas Cook flight…
An investigation begun into how Anthony France,undercover reporter working for the Sun. He claims he smuggled fake bomb equipment onto a Thomas Cook flight – carrying 270 holidaymakers – bound for Majorca avoiding security checks at Birmingham Airport.
He was employed as a baggage handler at the airport by contractor Aviance despite giving bogus references.
Anthony France claims he hid the fake device in his boots on 17 August. He said that the components of the device set off a metal detector but he was waved through after telling staff the alarm had been activated by his steel toecaps.
In response to yesterday’s article in The Sun newspaper Thomas Cook Airlines said:
The undercover reporter working for the Sun – Anthony France – was employed by a company called Aviance – a third party ground handling agent that is contracted to work for a number of airlines that fly from Birmingham airport.
Thomas Cook Airlines has instigated a full investigation focusing on how the reporter was able to obtain a valid Airport Security Pass, and once airside, why airport security control did not complete a full search in accordance with DfT regulations. A separate enquiry has been launched by the Department of Transport.
Passenger safety and security is of paramount importance to Thomas Cook Airlines and it must be noted that at the time of the incident Thomas Cook Airlines’ own internal security procedures had not yet been carried out. These checks are in line with the security regulations laid down by the Civil Aviation Authority and Department of Transport and are deployed before every flight departure.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
