Industry concerns about the cost of security at airports have been dismissed by the leading parliamentary expert on terrorism, who warned the industry needs to be aware of its responsibility towards clients and to anti-terror efforts.
Lord Carlile of Berriew told the Institute of Travel and Tourism Conference: “Airports complain bitterly about the cost [of security], but the cost per footfall [passenger] is 60p. That is not great.”
The sector was no different to others in having to bear the cost, he said, arguing: “The government is bearing some of the burden, but there has to be a sharing of the cost. The British Transport Police, for example, are paid for entirely by the railways.”
Lord Carlile has played a leading role in reviewing anti-terror legislation and other security measures since September 11 2001.
He warned ITT delegates that a lack of awareness of security risks could conceivably lead to criminal charges. Lord Carlile said: “You and all your staff should have at least a basic knowledge of the terrorist threat.
“When a client comes into an agency or clicks on a travel site, you are engaging with a potential threat of terrorism. By offering to enter into a contract, are you fulfilling your duty? In taking a client’s money, might you be assisting a terrorist offence or money laundering by failing to ask questions or failing to report a suspicion?”
For example, he said: “If a client wants a one-way ticket to Pakistan and to pay in cash, it would be reasonable to enquire where the cash has come from and, if you are not satisfied, to inform the authorities.”
Lord Carlile defended the government in taking measures that may appear disproportionate, arguing: “After a terrorist event, a government that had failed to take measures that might have been taken would fall.”
He advised tour operators and agents to check Foreign Office advice daily, understand their duty of care to clients, and report any security lapse they witness.