Qantas denies ice-lolly sticks can force open some cockpit doors

Australian flag-carrier Qantas rejected union claims yesterday that some cockpit doors could be forced open with an ice-lolly stick, dismissing a call to ground a number of turboprop planes.

Qantas said warnings from the Australian Licenced Aircraft Engineers’ Association, that cockpit locks on some small propeller planes could be opened with a folded boarding pass or “paddle pop stick”, were “spurious”.

“Safety and security are our highest priorities, and the cockpit doors on 28 QantasLink turboprop aircraft meet all relevant aviation security regulatory and manufacturer requirements,” said David Epstein, head of corporate affairs.

“(These are) spurious claims, needlessly alarming the travelling public and damaging Qantas.” ALAEA chief executive Steve Purvinas said the intercity QantasLink planes had opted for “cheaper versions of doors that are required to be bullet-proof and, on the larger aircraft they fly, resistant to grenade shrapnel”.

“These doors are compromised by locks which are not fully bullet-proof,” Mr Purvinas said.

Mr Epstein said Qantas had begun upgrading the doors some time ago, adding that safety scaremongering was a “well worn tactic”.

“There is no need for any aircraft to be grounded, and the travelling public can fly on QantasLink services with complete confidence,” Mr Epstein said, referring to the carrier’s inter-city domestic service.