18 July 07
BA
blame Airport security rules for baggage chaos
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British Airways has blamed hand baggage
restrictions at UK airports for its continuing problems in handling hold
luggage at Heathrow.
BA chairman Martin Broughton made the claim to shareholders at the
company’s annual general meeting, pointing out the one bag rule did
not apply elsewhere in Europe or in the US.
He said the restriction “needs to be
changed as soon as possible. It makes London an unattractive place,
particularly for transit passengers.”
Latest figures from airport operator BAA
appear to confirm that view, showing a 1.8% fall in passengers at
Heathrow in June compared with a year ago.
BA was still working to clear a backlog
of baggage at Heathrow’s Terminal 4 this week, following the build-up
of more than 20,000 misplaced bags after the heightened security alert
that accompanied the latest bomb attacks.
Broughton said the security
restrictions led passengers to put more bags into the hold, which then
overloaded the handling system.
Industry leaders were due to meet
transport secretary Ruth Kelly at a summit on
airport security on Thursday. However, the Government has warned
there is little prospect of a relaxation of security measures.
Airlines remain hopeful the Department for
Transport will give the go-ahead for a trial of advanced scanners at
a Heathrow flight connection centre that would at least allow transfer
passengers a second cabin bag.
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