Kelly Showdown With Air Chiefs Over Security Delays

By JOE MURPHY

RUTH KELLY faced a confrontation with air industry chiefs today as another summer of chaos loomed at London airports.

The Transport Secretary called together chief executives to urge greater action to avert weeks of misery for holidaymakers caused by tighter security measures.

But she will be challenged by angry airlines protesting that the “one bag rule” is driving valuable business fliers away from Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton and Stansted.

Today’s summit comes a fortnight after Gordon Brown warned that long delays are inevitable in the holiday season because of the heightened terror alert.

Ms Kelly summoned the most executives available from the big airlines and airports for what was expected to be a tense meeting. They were being given a security briefing by the Government’s Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre which insiders revealed would leave no doubt that the threat level remained high.

The minister was expected to warn that there was no prospect of the unpopular hand-baggage rules being relaxed because the industry had yet to show it could both maintain tight security and avoid delays. Ms Kelly argues that letting passengers take extra bags in the cabin would mean longer screening times.

But the airlines want a relaxation in the rules, especially for businessmen on overnight trips who are exasperated with having to queue at baggage claim carousels for small bags that they used to stuff under the seat.

They are being backed by London First, the capital’s business group which has complained to Ms Kelly that it was excluded from today’s event.

In a letter to Ms Kelly’s office, chief executive Baroness Valentine said “Heathrow hassle” was undermining the capital. “Business accounts for about 27 per cent of air traffic over London,” she said. “International travel is vital for business in London, and poor passenger experience is cited by senior business people as a serious concern that affects London’s competitiveness.

We are therefore most surprised that the customer remains unrepresented at this summit.” In the latest security tightening, cars have been barred from dropping off passengers at airport doors, being directed to short stay car parks instead.

Last year there was chaos when police uncovered a suicide bomb plot and passengers were limited to one small carry-on bag.

In addition hand baggage is being searched by hand more frequently as well as being screened by X-ray, while Luton and Stansted airports have installed biometric passport scanners which have doubled the time it takes to process passengers.

Queues of up to 90 minutes are likely at security points during busy periods..

(c) 2007 Evening Standard; London (UK). Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.