26/07/2007

MPs warn on airport security

Increased security checks at airports in the UK could create a potential new target for terrorists to carry out attacks, a report by MPs has warned.

The report by the Commons Transport Select Committee said that the measures were causing delays and long queues of passengers, which could be targeted by terrorists.

The report warned that the queues created a "real hazard" and that moving passengers through more quickly would reduce the threat. It said: "Speeding up check-in times and reducing the security queue should be a priority for airports and airlines."

The committee heard evidence for the report before the attack took place on Glasgow airport last month.

The committee also recommended that airlines should also advertise additional fees, taxes and charges up front and that there should be a government review of telephone charges for ticket bookings.

It also said that airport operator BAA should no longer be run as a monopoly and called for a review of airport car parking charges and more robust systems to stop the loss and mishandling of baggage.

(KMcA/SP)

Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

10 June 2014
Newcastle Airport Could Lose Thousands With Scottish Yes Vote
Newcastle Airport could lose thousands of passengers every year if Scotland vote Yes in the independent elections on 18th September.
09 August 2013
Oxfordshire Four-Runway Airport Plans Submitted
Plans for a new £18.2 billion four-runway airport in Oxfordshire have been submitted to the governments Airport Commission, which is investigating the possibility of airport expansion in the South East.
01 November 2012
China Sovereign Wealth Fund Buys Heathrow Airport Stake
China Investment Corporation (CIC), the country's sovereign wealth fund, now owns a 10% stake in the firm that owns five UK airports including London's Heathrow. Under the terms of the agreement CIC will pay £450m ($726m) for a 10% stake in Heathrow Airport Holdings Ltd, which was previously known as BAA Ltd. The fund will buy a 5.
29 April 2009
Three More Swine Flu Cases Confirmed In The UK
Three more cases of swine flu have been confirmed today in Britain, taking the number of those treated for the disease to five. A 12-year-old girl is among those who have contracted the virus after visiting Mexico, Prime Minister Gordon Brown confirmed.
25 May 2007
Race hate preacher deported
Race hate cleric Abdullah al-Faisal has been deported from Britain, Home Secretary John Reid has confirmed. The 39-year-old, who is of Jamaican origin, is understood to have left Gatwick airport, bound for Jamaica, around midday, accompanied by two police escorts and an immigration officer.