Israeli authorities plan to issue a new anti-hijack identification system to incoming aircraft which they say is foolproof, according to a Reuters report. Starting next year, Israel will require pilots who fly to its airports to use the Security Code System (SCS), a local invention designed to ensure planes that have been commandeered for Al Qaeda-style attacks are spotted in time.
Israel plans a trial run for the system, using a credit card-sized keypad, next month, in cooperation with fi ve airlines from the United States, Europe and Africa. About 10,000 of the units will ultimately be issued, with Israel bearing the cost.
Pilots who fail the authentication test when they approach Israeli airspace will be denied entry. Should a plane go ahead, ignoring further warnings, Israel will consider it hostile and scramble fighter planes for an interception. In the worst case, that could mean an aircraft is shot down.