Faster security checks at British airports

By Janet Stobart

Los Angeles Times Staff Writer

London — Passengers will no longer have to allow several extra hours for security checks when flying from British airports, even in the tourist-jammed summer months, according to air transport authorities, who are adding staff and equipment.

Since Aug. 10, when British airports ground to a halt after a major terrorist bomb scare, travelers through most terminals in Britain have faced two- to four-hour waits for security checks, baggage and body searches and interrogations.

After the bomb scare, the Civil Aviation Authority, the regulating body of British airports, temporarily suspended a rule that had required airports to compensate airlines if they failed to get at least 95% of passengers through security in 10 minutes or less per passenger.

By late last year, the rule was back in place in London’s busiest terminals: Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted. The British Airports Authority, which owns the airports, has since been able to speed up the security process.

Airports are bringing in more scanning equipment and recruiting more staff. Heathrow, for instance, has added 15 security lanes, taken on 150 new security staff members and is still recruiting, said BAA spokeswoman Karen Lovatt. She said that by summer there also would be more security lanes and staff at Gatwick, another major hub for long-haul flights. The BAA’s Gatwick website said recruitment for more than 270 security officers is underway to cope with heavy summer airline traffic.

Although travelers should find their airport waiting times shorter, they are still advised to arrive two hours before departure for intra-European flights and three hours for long-haul flights.

Also helping to speed security checks: Since November, European regulations have stipulated that 100 milliliters of a nonexplosive liquid can be carried on board in transparent bottles in clear, resealable plastic bags.