Ministers announce security checks on new airport staff are being completed in record time, despite continued travel disruptions | UK News
Security checks for new airport staff are being completed in record time, ministers announced, despite continued disruptions to travel over planned holiday breaks.
The increased time spent on new veterinary staff is one of the causes of airport staffing shortages, contributing to thousands of flight cancellations, delays and lost luggage.
Airports across the UK and in Europe have been affected in recent months, as the aviation sector struggles to cope with peak season demand after two years Coronavirus pandemic-related disturbances.
The Department of Transportation says counterterrorism checks on airline personnel are now being processed in less than 10 days on average – half the time seen in March.
The ministry said accreditation checks are also quicker, taking an average of five days.
In other developments:
• Flights were delayed at Heathrow Airport on Saturday due to a technical fault with the airport’s refueling system
• Technical problems left at least 1,500 bags stranded at Paris’ Charles de Gaulle airport
• Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary told the Financial Times that air travel has become “too cheap” and fares will increase in the next five years
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “While this is a challenging time for the sector, it is unacceptable that the current disruption continues as we enter high summer point.
“The public deserves to know if their flights are running during the summer, and so I reiterate my call for the industry to commit to delivering the flights they have scheduled, or cancel. them first so people can make other arrangements..
“Building on our 22-point plan to help the industry minimize disruption, we will continue to do everything in our power to ensure this summer is a huge success for the public.” Older brother.”
But Labor accused the government of having “lack of action”.
Shadow transport secretary Louise Haigh said: “The part-time traffic secretary has not held a meeting to resolve the chaos between Easter and Mass weekend and now he is desperately trying to try to catch up.
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“These re-announced half-measures won’t do much to erase the massive delays in security checks and address the chronic low pay that is holding the industry back.”
However, the Department of Transportation said Mr Shapps held a meeting with airports, airlines and ground handling companies on June 1.
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Airlines and airports cannot say when the threat to the summer holidays will end
Meanwhile, passengers face more cancellations this week, along with 12 days of strikes this month by Ryanair workers in Spain and industrial unrest in France.
Britain’s busiest airport Heathrow must notify officials of any further flight cancellations on Friday, according to a amnesty announced last month that would allow airlines to cancel flights while retaining takeoff and landing slots next year.
Many passengers have their luggage delayed
Airlines buy seats to exploit their schedules but could lose seats to competitors if they fail to maintain their obligations to airports and passengers due to inability to fly.
It is hoped that being able to freely adjust schedules will allow airlines to run only flights for which they are fully staffed, stopping passengers arriving at airports finding their flights are delayed. canceled at the last minute.
