Careless flyers 'lose 8,500 gadgets at airports'

Up to 8,500 mobile devices are lost by business travellers at the UK's airports every year, new research has revealed.

According to the survey by data security firm SafeNet, the biggest number of losses take place at airports in London, with over 400 laptops and 2,500 other gadgets - such as mobile phones, USB sticks and BlackBerrys - going missing every year.

Gary Clark of SafeNet warned that these business executives could be putting their companies at risk by being forgetful with their gadgets while travelling.

"Companies are investing large sums of money in protecting network data, only for employees to run the risk of losing it by carelessly misplacing laptops and mobile devices," he commented.

The research also found that business flyers passing through hubs in north-western airports lose more than 800 mobile devices and 100 laptops a year, while elsewhere in Europe almost 800 laptops and 2,500 other gadgets are misplaced in airports in Germany.

According to research from esure, 73 per cent of UK holidaymakers take a digital camera with them when jetting overseas, while 72 per cent take their mobile phones with them and 30 per cent pack a camcorder.

• Air-conditioned bus shelters launched in Dubai
• American Airlines launches mobile broadband
• Manchester Airport trials new security measures
• Airport lounge Wi-Fi hot spots 'on the rise'
• Public trials carried out at new Dubai terminal
• Document checking system launched by Star Alliance
• Heathrow Airport hosts first mobile-enabled flight
• Cheap flights 'still available for early bookers'
• US online travel system 'safe'
• Emirates introduces Boeing in-flight mobile service