AIRLINES will continue to work with governments worldwide to promote security measures, the International Air Transport Association said in a statement

"In the current heightened level of security, the airlines are co-operating with government authorities and their specific requirements to have sky marshals aboard flights where required," the airline group said.

"Aside from specific, identified threats, the international airline industry continues to believe that security resources are best allocated to ensure that threats do not get on board the aircraft."

IATA said the sky marshals' costs should be provided by the governments concerned.

"IATA's strategy in 2004 will be to work effectively with our industry partners and to bring the industry back to health and real growth," added IATA director general and CEO Giovanni Bisignani.