EASYJET’S Andy Harrison and Lufthansa’s Dieter Grotepass are among airline bosses increasingly concerned that security measures at UK airports will hit sales.
EasyJet chief executive Andy Harrison admitted the airline is having “forceful discussions” with the Government behind the scenes.
He said: ”It’s not a pleasant experience going through a UK airport. The whole airport process is more highly strung, there are more delays. People are working at unsustainable levels and there is confusion among passengers.
“Consumers are being patient at the moment, but how long will that continue?” Lufthansa UK and Ireland general manager Dieter Grotepass said.
“Hand luggage is essential for business travellers. They don’t want to check in anything on a day trip. Airports and security have to be adjusted.”
The impact on musicians prompted Mark Elder, conductor at the Last Night of the Proms at the Albert Hall on Saturday, to issue a public plea for a relaxation in security. Musicians say they are being forced to cancel appearances rather than check in instruments.
A spokesman for the Department for Transport said: “We are looking at how best to manage the arrangements, but safety is paramount. The Government cannot simply do away with the measures.”
The requirement that laptops be removed from bags and screened separately will be extended across Europe following a meeting of the European Commission’s committee for civil aviation security.
The committee referred UK recommendations on reduced hand luggage size and a ban on liquids in cabin bags to a taskforce that will report back at the end of the month.
There is little prospect of a relaxation in hand luggage restrictions on US flights. US Transportation Security Administration director Kip Hawley said last week the measures would be in place “for the indefinite future”.
EU and US officials remain in talks on how to replace the current deal on sharing air passenger data, which will become illegal from September 30.