Southwest Airlines began operating the latest Boeing 737 aircraft equipped with a secondary barrier to protect the cockpit when the door must be opened during the flight.
The barrier is shaped like this folding gate is officially used ahead of the long holiday Labor Day. That made Southwest one of the first US airlines to implement the technology.
Secondary barrier installation policy has actually been required by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) since 2023 for all new aircraft. However, the implementation was postponed a year. Since the attack on September 11, 2001, aviation trade unions have long encouraged the use of additional barriers to prevent access to cockpit when the pilot came out, for example to the toilet.
“For Southwest, this is the right step. We have a proactive safety management system in increasing security at any time possible,” said the airline in an official statement.
Southwest asserted that every new aircraft he received would be immediately installed secondary barrier. Meanwhile, there is no certified method to add it to the old fleet, but the airline states to continue to coordinate with Boeing and FAA.
During this time, the airline uses simple procedures such as closing the hallway with a drink trolley when the pilot opens the cockpit door. (CNN/Z-2)
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