British Air Transport Association secretary-general Roger Wiltshire accused the Home Office of using airport workers as guinea pigs.
Government plans to require airport workers to have a national ID card from 2009 will add coss tot carriers and fares to passengers without improving security, he argues.
The cards will cost £30 per worker says the Government, but independent estimates put the costs higher.
Wiltshire said: “Airside workers already undergo rigorous security checks. The proposals offer no improvements in security or any other benefits. They will add millions of pounds in expense.”
The Home Office has struggled to win public acceptance for an ID card amid soaring costs and concern about data security.
An industry source said: “The Government is trying to get this in through the back door using the terrorist card.”