An aviation industry leader has hit out at plans for new security scanners in UK airports. Steve Heapy, chief of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays criticized the timetable for the rollout of the new system, which he said needed to be pushed back to allow airports to prepare.
A time saver but late
The next generation airport security equipment has been described by the UK’s Department for Transport as “cutting-edge technology (that) will enhance security and boost the passenger experience.” It uses computed tomography (CT) scans to generate clearer, more accurate 3D images of scanned luggage and its contents, speeding up security processes.
The system is already in operation in some UK airports, where passengers are no longer required to remove electronic devices or liquids from hand luggage. However a number of major airports, including Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester Airports Group, are yet to implement the system and say completion of the scanner upgrade will take place by 2025 at the earliest.
Among problems faced by airports are supply chain issues, expense, and a lack of accommodation for the bigger, heavier infrastructure, in the face of which Heapy called for a postponement. “The government has mandated that we have next generation scanners in airports by the middle of this year,” Heapy said, adding, “It wants the UK to be a world leader in aviation security, but if they do it, the only thing we’ll be leading in, is queues as our airports are not ready.”
“Disruption and turmoil” ahead
Putting the onus on the decision makers who can avoid “another summer of massive disruption and turmoil”, Heapy said airports were throwing everything at the effort to “meet these challenges but they are not going to be ready. We must lobby for this deadline to be put back of we will see loads of issues and it will present a massive threat to our sector,” he told delegates at the 94th Scottish Passenger Agents’ Association in Glasgow, asking them to lobby “these people who want our votes” in what he noted is “an election year”.
“I suggest you all speak to your politicians and ask for their personal and party views on our sector and what their policies are towards things like airport security, and other key issues”, he said, naming a range of other priorities from bringing down business rates, and taxing the air industry over CO2 emissions, to the growth of sustainable aviation fuel and the modernisation of airspace.
Effects of recession loom
Heapy also warned against complacency after the post-Covid-19 travel boom. “We’re now officially in a recession,” he warned, hinting at the chilling effect on consumer confidence of price rises. “We’re seeing the cost of everything go up – food, fuel, transport, taxes. Everything is going up and feeding through to the holiday price.”
