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'Stretched' Security at Airport May Lead to More Flight Delays

Posted on: Friday, 5 August 2005, 06:00 CDT

PASSENGERS face further delays at Edinburgh airport after security officers threatened a work-to-rule amid claims they are being stretched to the limit by staff shortages.

The move came days after peak-hour congestion at the fast- growing airport was blamed for figures which showed it suffered some of its worst-ever flight delays earlier this year.

Queues of passengers awaiting security screening en route to departure gates are reported to have increased over the last few months.

Security officers told The Scotsman that a lack of staff has forced them to work large amounts of overtime and accept repeated shift changes.

They said further pressure has come from the heightened security state since last month's London bombings, with security at its highest level at the airport since the 11 September attacks four years ago.

BAA Scotland, which runs the airport, admitted there were problems, but said it was recruiting extra staff.

The airport is growing at 7 per cent a year and currently handles 8.2 million passengers - double that of eight years ago.

However, the latest Civil Aviation Authority figures show more than one in four scheduled flights arrived or left at least 15 minutes late between January and March. The 73 per cent punctuality rate was 5 per cent worse than last year.

One security officer said: "Staff are being overworked, having to do double shifts, and the overtime has become horrendous.

"We are appalled at what is happening, and the delays are putting us in the firing line for passenger complaints."

Sandy Smart, the regional industrial organiser for the Transport and General Workers Union, which represents airport security staff, confirmed that feelings were running high.

He said: "Staff have concerns and it is recognised there is a problem. We have been in discussions with BAA, and the security manager is meeting the workforce to see if the situation can be resolved. We have a shift roster which does not work well because of all the overtime that staff are being asked to work.

"Edinburgh airport is growing so fast there are doubts whether everything is in place to cope with it."

Major airlines said they had noticed long queues at security at certain times of the day.

Malcolm Robertson, a spokesman for BAA Scotland, said: "We recognise there is some disquiet, but it is not widespread or does not involve every security officer. However, it is a difficult situation, and part of it could have been planned better.

"Edinburgh airport is growing much faster than anyone predicted. There are some queues, which is not ideal, but they are being addressed. There may be a short-term problem, which we are working hard to resolve."

Mr Robertson said seven security officers had left since June and replacements were being recruited and trained.

Source: Scotsman, The

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