US may demand passenger lists from flyover planes

WASHINGTON - The United States may demand the passenger lists from foreign airlines for planes that fly over US territory, US authorities said Thursday.
"We are working closely with our international aviation partners in giving thoughtful consideration to all aspects of this," Transportation Security Administration spokeswoman Amy Von Walter said.
Currently planes that land in the United States must send passenger lists before they take off for the US airport. The names are checked with US lists of suspected and wanted terrorists.
The demand is one of the many security measures imposed since the September 11, 2001 attacks on New York and Washington.
"We have not made any final decision on the implementation at this point. Certainly, in everything we do, our motivation is to further enhance security conditions," the spokeswoman said. "We are reviewing that issue, we are giving it thoughtful consideration."

04/21/2005 16:13 GMT