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BA slams stupid security checks

Enough already with the security theatre

The chairman of British Airways has said it is time to stop kowtowing to US demands on airport security.

Speaking to the UK Airport Operators Association Martin Broughton said it was time to stop making people take their shoes off and remove laptops from bags for security checks.

He also criticised US authorities for demanding greater checks on US-bound flights than are required for domestic flights within the country.

Broughton said there was no need to: "kowtow to the Americans every time they wanted something done”. He said: “We all know there’s quite a number of elements in the security programme which are completely redundant and they should be sorted out.”

On laptop checks the BA chairman said: “Take the iPad, they still haven’t decided if it is a laptop or it isn’t a laptop. So some airports think you should take it out and some think you shouldn’t,”

Colin Mathews, chief executive of BAA, told the FT, which reported Broughton's remarks, that it was time to start again.

He said:“Today’s arrangements are incremental and I think there is a case for saying let’s start from a clean sheet of paper to achieve what we want to achieve.”

The European Union yesterday certified an X-ray liquid scanner made by Kromek for use at all airports which means that by April 2011 duty free purchases will again be allowed in hand luggage. ®

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