Do British Airports Justify Such High Security?

Large numbers of people patiently wait in crowded areas of airports where access is available to all members of the public and no one in this area of the airport has undergone any of the most simple security procedures. What is stopping a terrorist from taking advantage of this threat? In the previous weeks Glasgow airport was attacked and its main terminals appeared to be the target. For further information: Glasgow Airport Targeted

Are airports to blame for the inability to process the numbers of people in a suitable manner? Heathrow airport for example was designed for around 45 million users on an annual basis, however currently it is estimated that over 65 million people use the airport. As we are all now well aware Heathrow is planning to increase its size and the potential to accommodate more users.

Is the government being too strict with the extra ‘check-in’ security? The Minister for transport has addressed the airport security issue, specifically the extra security at check-in. “We will not compromise on the safety of passengers, and this means that the heightened security measures introduced last summer are still necessary" as stated recently by Ruth Kelly, the Minister for Transport. For further information: Airport Luggage Limits

So the government insist that the current security levels are necessary however airlines and airports may not agree. Both will be losing profits and face further delays to already stretched systems.

Has the government made our airports and airways safer? Or have they simply caused delays, loss of profits and actually created a new threat to security through increased numbers of passengers in smaller confined spaces? Alternatively the government may have deterred possible attacks by providing such strict security at check-in.

Only last week it was widely reported that security checks actually increased the possibility of an attack, as the queues themselves become a potential target. Our own view is simple and hasn’t changed over the past six years. The current situation is not safe, hypothetically someone could walk in to the airport with two explosive devices in the form of suitcases and the security guards may even open the doors for them without any checks whatsoever being made until the point of check-in. This must change - how is another question.