International flight engineers have called for boycotts and sanctions against countries which failed to provide adequate security precautions against aircraft hijacking. The engineers’ international association, after a seven-day meeting, also recommended that flights originating from airports which did not comply with safety standards should be treated as illegal and subjected to substantial penalties at their destination. It proposed the formation of an international agency that would inspect airports and set safety standards. Airlines should be encouraged to screen luggage with X-ray machines and explosive detectors, the association said.

The engineers said they were deeply disappointed that the United Nations debate on aviation security had failed to agree on any effective measures against States which did not implement conventions on aircraft hijacking. No country and no airline was immune to hijacking, their statement said. The engineers’ association said protest strikes by pilots could be a way of showing concern if they were universal and well co-ordinated. “However, it should also be pointed out that such stoppages inflict a hardship on the travelling public and a financial penalty on the airlines, the majority of whom are already sympathetic to moves to improve aviation security,” the statement said.

British Petroleum will participate in A.$43 million to develop an Australian coal mine to increase production to two million tonnes a year to satisfy the demand for steaming and formed coal in the 1980s. The BP group will develop jointly with Oakbridge Ltd. through its wholly-owned subsidiary Coalex Pty. Ltd., the Clarence Mine currently being developed by Coalex in the Lithgow area of New South Wales. The proposal for BP participation was announced by Mr. G. E. Mapp, Oakbridge chairman and Mr. M. R. Rendle, managing director of BP of Australia. Letters of intent have been exchanged, subject to State and Federal Government approvals. Discussions have been held with the New South Wales Government which has indicated that the proposal will be considered when guidelines are formalised covering participation by foreign companies in resource development projects in New South Wales. The Government has indicated that these should be available shortly.

The Clarence mining lease was granted to Coalex in April, 1976, in recognition of Coalex’s major exploration work since 1968 on its original exploration licences covering 1,100 square miles in the western coalfield. Construction of the Clarence Mine to produce approximately 800,000 tonnes of raw coal annually commenced in September, 1976. The joint venture will accelerate development and construction to increase production to two million tonnes per annum. The proposal is that BP will earn a half interest in the project, by providing by way of equity funds the next A.$30 million of capital expenditure. Funding in excess of this amount will be provided equally by the joint participants.