REACTIONS TO ALLEGED HIJACKING COULD PARALYSE AVIATION: QANTAS.

MELBOURNE, June 2 Asia Pulse - Kneejerk responses to the alleged attempted hijacking of a Qantas (ASX:QAN) jet could paralyse Australia's aviation sector, Qantas chief executive officer Geoff Dixon warned yesterday.

A raft of instant new security measures could do more harm than good for the industry and passengers alike, Mr Dixon said.

"Aviation security is continually evolving as new challenges arise in what is a far different environment since September 11," he said in a statement.

"To say the security of the industry in Australia is in crisis is wrong, as is any suggestion that the federal government has been slow to respond."

The industry had to achieve a balance between its financial sustainability and the provision of safe and secure national and international transport, Mr Dixon said.

"Instant analysis after Thursday's incident could adversely impact this sustainability by adding hundreds of millions of dollars to its cost structure," he said.

"It could also adversely impact (on) commerce throughout the entire country without any significant improvements to aviation security," he said.