EL AL planes still being escorted while taxiing???

[Thermal]

In the old days (80's and early 90's) all EL AL planes on Schiphol were escorted by 2 armored vehicles from the Dutch military police (koninklijke marechaussee) while taxiing to the runway.
Since ages this isn't being done anymore on Schiphol.

I was quite surprised that during a short (work) visit to Berlin Schönefeld last week I saw this:






Doe sanyone know if there was a a hightend security alert for EL AL planes or is this still standard in Germany / Berlin?

PS Don't go the Berlin Schönefeld for pictures, boring as hell and almost no action

[Gerard]

Same procedure in Frankfurt; LY is still accompanied by the Bundespolizei.

Gerard

[Alpha Kilo One]

Uh, please explain me:
What's the purpose of this "panzerwagen".
What do they do when the plane is hyacked?

Ronald

[Gerard]

If something happens at least they are safe inside their armoured vehicle

[Dutch Spotter]

also on DUS/dusseldorff...the LY planes will be escorted by polizei and an airport vehicle.
During departure of an LY plane at EHAM, there is some extra attention of the KMar, but from the side line (some gate near the dep. rwy...no escorts anymore.

gr DJ

[ehusmann]

Uh, please explain me:
What's the purpose of this "panzerwagen".
What do they do when the plane is hyacked?

Ronald

Hijackings usually happen in mid air, not on the ground, so that will probably not be the cause of concern. I suspect it is more because of possible bomb, rocket and small arms fire attacks. Although even then you can question the usability of such an armored vehicle...

Erwin

[Thermal]

Ok so it is still normal in Germany voor EL AL. ALso in other countries?

But why does this policy differ per country? Available funds for these things? Regulations? Terrorist threat level?

Always thought the use of these things is a bit of a paper tiger.

[Flyboy]

From a theoratical point ofview I can imagen <speculation mode> : the armoured car has a gun, which is place near the plane as it drives along it during taxiing. This may allow the car to return fire into the direction of the thread. (=dynamic point defence) Wether it is usefull or even allowed to retun fire on an airport were a large crowd is expected???. So presumably </speculation mode> mainly a show of force, but a capable one.

[Glidepath]

From a theoratical point ofview I can imagen <speculation mode> : the armoured car has a gun, which is place near the plane as it drives along it during taxiing. This may allow the car to return fire into the direction of the thread. (=dynamic point defence) Wether it is usefull or even allowed to retun fire on an airport were a large crowd is expected
.

History tells us, guards and law enforcers do shoot (back). Like at Eindhoven, Sri Lanka Int and yes, also in Germany.

Once driving on airside there is lots of space to spray bullets freely or to drive over stray rabbits and other thugs. Is there a point in having it out and about? Yes, so you can make a nice photo at an otherwise apparently boring airfield for 1 thing, but formally, countering terror, after earlier 'events', is indeed the general idea behind it all.

ps. The type is a SW-4 afaik.

[Stratofreighter]

ps. The type is a SW-4 afaik.

This one?
http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonderwage ... 8TM-170.29

[Michel]

You can add ZRH to this list as well.

[ronnie59]

Hello all,
I've seen it at Brussels too!
gr. Ron...

[Torchus]

In Brussels the plane is escorted by a firetruck and a policecar from runway to gate and vice versa.

This is not the only safety measure they take. Check http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/El_Al#Airp ... y_measures for more info.

Israel (El Al) has made lots of enemies over the years.

[jfaltena]

also on DUS/dusseldorff...the LY planes will be escorted by polizei and an airport vehicle.
During departure of an LY plane at EHAM, there is some extra attention of the KMar, but from the side line (some gate near the dep. rwy...no escorts anymore.

There's also a civil vehicle driving around the perimeter of the airport when LY is taxiing at EHAM; maybe their own security ?

Grtz, John