Security delays ultimatum threatens retail at BAA airports

Emily Pacey

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The Civil Aviation Authority has warned BAA to halve security queues or face fines

The UK Civil Aviation Authority has told UK airports authority BAA to halve queuing times for passengers waiting to be security checked. It wants airports to process 95% of passengers within five minutes—instead of the current 10 minutes—or face fines.

BAA said that shops at some airports would have to be removed and replaced with security checkpoints to achieve the target. Terminals at some airports may also have to be extended to accommodate more security machines. BAA is concerned that a loss in retail revenue would lead to higher charges for airlines.

The ultimatum comes after passengers at London Heathrow and Gatwick airports were delayed by up to two hours by security checks last August, following the foiled alleged terror plot on August 10.