*****************************************************
The Aviation Security (Amendment) Ordinance 2005 (the Amendment Ordinance) will come into operation today (November 10) according to a commencement notice tabled at the Legislative Council on October 12, 2005.
The Amendment Ordinance imposes criminal sanctions against unruly or disruptive behaviour offences committed on board civil aircraft, and extends Hong Kong's jurisdiction over unruly or disruptive behaviour offences committed outside Hong Kong on board non-Hong Kong-controlled civil aircraft which next land in Hong Kong.
"The Amendment Ordinance introduces seven new offences relating to unruly or disruptive behaviour committed on board civil aircraft, including offences relating to obstruction of crew members in performing their duties; failure to comply with instructions given by crew members; disorderly behaviour; tampering or interfering with aircraft component, apparatus, equipment or systems; intoxication by alcohol, drug or other intoxicating substances; smoking and the operation of electronic devices in the aircraft when it is prohibited," a spokesman for the Civil Aviation Department said.
In addition, Hong Kong's jurisdiction has been extended to 11 existing criminal acts and offences falling under the general description of assault, intimidation, sexual assault and child molestation committed on board a non-Hong Kong-controlled aircraft while in flight outside Hong Kong, with its next place of landing in Hong Kong.
The maximum penalty for the new unruly behaviour offences will range from a fine of $25,000 and 1-year imprisonment under summary conviction to a fine of $100,000 and 5-year imprisonment under conviction on indictment.
The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) has passed a resolution urging Contracting States to enact law and regulations to deal effectively with the problem of unruly passenger offences.
"As an international aviation centre, Hong Kong has observed closely the safety and security standards and practices promulgated by ICAO under the relevant international conventions. The Amendment Ordinance is indicative of our commitment to the international efforts to deal more effectively with the growing problem of unruly passengers," the spokesman said.
Ends/Thursday, November 10, 2005
Issued at HKT 14:01
NNNN