Virgin unveils new security measures and aircraft dedicated to New York

Airline Industry Information, Nov 1, 2001

AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2001 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD

Virgin Atlantic Airways, a British airline, unveiled a Boeing 747 aircraft renamed 'The Spirit of New York' on 31 October to honour the thousands of people killed in the 11 September terrorist attacks in the USA.

The renamed aircraft is also the first of Virgin's fleet to sport a new bulletproof cockpit door that the carrier's chairman, Sir Richard Branson, has termed a 'necessary safety change' since the attacks - which involved four airlines being hijacked and flown into buildings, as well as a field in Pennsylvania.

The armour-plated door is designed to withstand small-arms fire as well as intense heat and shock, and is fitted with a digital lock and steel deadbolt. The carrier's entire fleet will be fitted with the doors, in an upgrade expected to cost USD1m according to The Associated Press.

Virgin has also started having its flight crews trained by British special forces in order to "make sure what happened in the US does not happen here," Branson said.

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