Weber calls for introduction of German security standards at an international level Flight operations returning to normal - but delays still expected

Lufthansa Chairman and CEO Jürgen Weber has called for urgent steps to be taken to harmonise aviation safety standards at an international level. Following top-level talks with Germany's Interior Minister Otto Schily, Transport Minister Kurt Bodewig and Fraport Chairman Wilhelm Bender on Saturday evening in Berlin, Weber emphasised the high standard of security measures already in force in Germany.

As an example, he quoted baggage matching - a process long since introduced in Germany, whereby every bag on a flight is matched with a passenger and removed if the passenger fails to board, so that no unaccompanied baggage is transported. The main priority now was to enforce an internationally approved level of safety. National solutions were totally inadequate, he said. Weber welcomed the statement by the German federal government that it would support these efforts unreservedly.

As an immediate measure, the German government will introduce tighter security screening in the recruitment of aviation and airport staff. Lufthansa supports this as well as the deployment of groups of experts who will examine the use of intelligent security systems such as iris recognition technology or possible technical modifications to aircraft.

At the weekend Lufthansa was able to resume most of its scheduled flights to the United States, although the additional security precautions ordered by the US authorities caused delays. Passengers were clearly prepared for the tighter security checks and followed Lufthansa's request to arrive at the airport at least two hours before their scheduled departure time. Passengers in all booking classes are only permitted to take one item of hand baggage, which should be kept as small as possible. Due to the restrictions imposed by the US authorities, they are also forbidden to take any pointed objects or cutting tools on board. If possible, passengers should check in all their baggage.

The first scheduled Lufthansa flight arriving from the United States - LH 401 - landed in Frankfurt at 8:29 (CEST) on Sunday. The aircraft, which had 394 passengers on board. Flight LH 400, which had been diverted to Gander on Tuesday, arrived in New York at 4:30 (CEST). The passengers who wished to fly back to Germany are due to land in Frankfurt on Sunday afternoon.

The last Lufthansa aircraft remaining in Gander (LH 440) is expected to take off on Sunday for its original destination, Houston. Earlier departure was not possible due to the operational conditions in Gander and the lack of clearance from the authorities. Lufthansa chairman Jürgen Weber thanked the passengers for their patience and understanding, and praised the efforts of the Lufthansa staff who had had to work under extremely difficult conditions in Canada. He also expressed special gratitude to the countless volunteers in Gander and Halifax who had done everything to help take care of the Lufthansa passengers stranded there over the past few days. Weber also thanked the German government for their diplomatic efforts towards gaining permission for the diverted aircraft to complete their journey. The two special flights to Canada which took highly trained care teams under the direction of Stefan Lauer, a member of the Lufthansa Executive Board, are due to return to Germany after the departure of LH 440.

Passengers taking connecting flights on domestic routes in the United States may still encounter some delays and disrupted services. For further information please contact the Lufthansa Call Center on 01803 803 803, which is open round-the-clock.