UK airports urged to adopt 'one-stop security'

The International Air Transport Association (Iata) has urged airports in the UK and Ireland to adopt a 'one-stop' security system, which allows people to catch connecting flights without being screened if they have already been checked at another EU airport.

Authorities in France recently announced that the measures would be introduced in Lyon and at selected terminals at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport.

The move - which sees France join several other EU countries that already operate the system - is expected to benefit some six million passengers a year and save $30 million (£20 million) without compromising security standards.

Iata director general Giovanni Bisignani said that it is "a waste of time, effort and resources" for airports to screen passengers who have already been checked a few hours earlier.

He added: "The business case for one-stop security is clear: faster, hassle-free connections for passengers and lower security costs for everyone involved. There is no compromise on quality.

"I urge other states - particularly the UK and Ireland - to come on board quickly."

Around a quarter of passengers at the world's top 120 airports are catching connecting flights, according to Iata, equating to more than 325 million travellers per year.

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