"UK airport checks 'not sustainable'"

Saturday, August 12, 2006

Airport checks 'not sustainable'  
United Kingdom - The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

 
Stringent security searches which have led to long delays and cancellations
at Heathrow are not sustainable, airport operator BAA has warned.
 
The airport cancelled a third of flights on Saturday evening in a bid to
speed its return to a normal schedule. 

Heathrow earlier came under fire from British Airways for being unable to
cope with the extra security measures. 

Meanwhile, Ryanair said the government should provide additional staff to
carry out body searches at airports. 

The British Airports Authority said Heathrow was suffering severe delays,
meaning that a third of departing flights, between 1500 and 2330 on Saturday
evening, would be cancelled. 

It said the remaining flights should depart from Heathrow on schedule or as
close to schedule as possible. 

BAA said the decision was "extremely regrettable" but added that it was the
only way services could return to normal. 

Tony Douglas, BAA's chief executive officer for Heathrow, earlier spoke
about how the extra searches were affecting the airport. 

He said: "If this is maintained we are likely to continue to see extremely
long queues and regrettably even more flights cancelled." 

He added: "Quite simply I don't know how long it's likely to go on, but it's
clearly a set of measures that are unprecedented and by virtue of what
they've come in to enforce, they're not sustainable measures." 

But Willie Walsh, British Airways chief executive, criticised Heathrow and
insisted his company was ready to fly a full schedule. 

He said: "The airport's baggage system cannot process all of the passengers'
bags and, where passengers have been able to check their bags in, the
lengthy queues in the airport security search area means that passengers are
unable to get to the departure gate in time for their flight." 

Full schedule 

He added that BA had to cancel 25% of its short-haul services on Saturday
while "many" other flights left without all passengers. 

Mr Walsh went on: "We are ready and able to operate a full schedule at
London Heathrow. We have sufficient flying crew, ground staff and aircraft
in place. 

"However BAA is unable to provide a robust security search process and
baggage operation at London Heathrow and as a result we are being forced to
cancel flights and operate some others from Heathrow without all the
passengers onboard." 

More help 

Ryanair's chief executive officer Michael O'Leary said BAA needed help from
the government. 

He said: "If the British government is serious about defeating terrorism and
not allowing the terrorists to disrupt normal everyday British life, then
the government must provide the additional security staffing - either police
or army reserve personnel - immediately to prevent London's main airports
from grinding to a halt over the coming days." 

Virgin's spokesman, Paul Charles, echoed sentiments over extra resources. 

He said: "In some cases, Heathrow is definitely under a lot of pressure. Our
check-in area actually is very good this afternoon and we're processing
passengers very well. 

"BAA is doing the best job it can in what is a very difficult environment,
but clearly extra resources would be useful." 

A spokesman for the Department for Transport said: "We understand the
situation remains difficult. Government is providing assistance on many
levels and we are working intensively with the airlines and airport
authorities. 

"In particular we are discussing with BAA, the operators of Heathrow,
Gatwick and Stansted, on how the Government can continue to work with them
in dealing with the situation." 

British Airways has cancelled 43 outbound and inbound flights, which amounts
to 25% of their shorthaul service. 

A spokesman said: "We have had 86 flights affected by the continuing
disruption. 

"We would not anticipate it being any better tomorrow unless something
changes in the way BAA operates at Heathrow or does something to reduce the
tremendous congestion at the airport." 

He said the situation was being handled more efficiently at Gatwick where
there were no further cancellations expected in addition to the 10 domestic
flights that have already been announced. 

All BA services had now resumed at Manchester and Birmingham airports
subject to delays. 

CABIN LUGGAGE ALLOWED
 
   Pocket-sized wallets/ purses, plus contents
   Passports/ travel tickets
   Prescription medicines, not in liquid form unless verified as authentic
   Essential medical items, eg diabetic kit
   Glasses & sunglasses, no cases
   Contact lens holders, no solution
   Baby food & milk for those with infants - bottle contents must be tasted
by accompanying passenger
   Essential sanitary items for infants
   Female sanitary items, unboxed
   Tissues, unboxed, or handkerchiefs
   Keys, but no electric key fobs

Attached Photo:

More queuing is inevitable if extra checks continue, Heathrow says.

_41427467_airportdelays.jpg