BAA defends itself against criticism over airport disruption

UK airports operator BAA has hit back at criticism over its handling of the recent security alert.

In a statement released to the press, it said it was fully aware of the frustrations experienced by airlines, but would not compromise on its responsibility to implement a security regime deemed necessary by the government.

“The security procedures imposed last Thursday are very far-reaching. They greatly intensified the demands made on security guards and other processes, most of which are, for obvious reasons, best not debated publicly,” it said.

“The modification of the rules announced yesterday still leaves the security regime at a very significantly enhanced level compared with one week ago.

“That is because, as the Home Secretary has said, the threat from terrorist activity against the aviation industry remains likely.

“We acutely regret the disruption these new arrangements have caused to passengers and airlines.

“Heathrow, in particular, has been singled out for criticism, and the allegation has been made that BAA lacked adequate plans to deal with the emergency.

“We regret these comments, which are neither fair nor accurate. The fact is that Heathrow, the world’s busiest international airport, is at the best of times significantly over-stretched because of the difficulties over many years of securing permission to grow capacity at the airport.

“Heathrow is an airport designed for no more than 55 million passengers a year, currently handling 68 million. That growth has occurred in response to the airlines’ commercial ambitions and country’s economic needs. The lack of space at Heathrow makes it more difficult to accommodate congestion during a crisis.”

It said it was unable to hold sufficient staff in reserve against such a significant and sustained increase of activity.

“It should also be recognised that airport delays are caused by a number of factors, not just security queues. At Heathrow today, the longest wait is through check-in, run by airlines, not security.

“We are in no doubt that the current security regime, which we must assume will be maintained for the foreseeable future, will require us to bring in additional staff across our airports and to strengthen other aspects of our security system.

“A programme of work to this effect has already begun. Since 9/11 we have added roughly 1,500 security guards to our security team, which currently comprises 6,000 people.

“The only alternative to increasing security resource is to accept a reduced passenger throughput capacity at our airports.”

However, the statement was marred by reports today that a 12-year-old boy managed to board a Monarch flight at Gatwick on Monday during the heightened security (see separate story).

By Bev Fearis