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15-Jul-2011 11:43 AM

UK to move away from 'one-size-fits-all' airport security

UK's Department for Transport announced proposals to modernise the regulation of aviation security, with airports rewarded for good practice by being granted greater autonomy in security procedures (Business Traveller, 14-Jul-2011). The proposals could see the end of compulsory security checks such as shoes and belts being removed and laptops taken out of bags. Transport Secretary Philip Hammond said he wants to move away from "the current, highly prescriptive, one-size-fits-all approach where all operators run the same regime to one where industry takes a more proactive and more innovative and tailored approach to security". Airport operators with the "most robust systems of aviation security" would be granted "greater trust in how they deliver the specified outcomes". Mr Hammond said that the current system "can place significant financial burdens on the aviation industry along with inconvenience to passengers", and added that government regulation should move from "prescribing security processes to setting security outcomes", giving airports and airlines greater flexibility and allowing them to adopt new technology such as screening devices. The proposals are subject to consultation.

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