BOSTON (CBS) – Congressman Ed Markey is pushing new legislation that would continue the ban on knives aboard commercial airplanes.

Markey held a news conference with flight attendants and airline pilots at Logan Airport Tuesday morning.

WBZ NewsRadio 1030′s Doug Cope reports

The Transportation Security Administration relaxed its ban on small pocket knives on planes last month. Passengers can begin carrying the knives on board in April 25.

The change puts the United States guidelines in keeping with European regulations.

“The shoe bomber and pant bomber went through security in Amsterdam and Paris,” flight attendant Sarah Nelson said. “It is wrong we would follow the regulations of Europe to set the standards for our security here in the United States.”

Attorney General Martha Coakley also supports continuing the ban.

Markey is a candidate in the state’s special U.S. Senate election.