general

Facing a growing backlash over extremely long waits at airport security, Homeland Security secretary Jeh Johnson asked fliers "to be patient" as the govt takes steps to get them onto planes more quickly. Travellers across the country have endured lengthy security lines, some snaking up and down escalators, or through food courts, and into terminal lobbies. At some airports, lines during peak hours have topped 90 minutes. Airlines have reported holding planes at gates to wait for passengers to clear security. Johnson said Friday that the govt is working to ease the lines, although travellers should expect to wait as they travel this summer. Whatever steps TSA takes, Johnson said, it won't neglect its duty to stop terrorists. Airlines are expecting a record number of fliers this summer. <br/>

London Heathrow has pledged to exceed the environmental stipulations laid down for it in order to gain permission to build a third runway. Building a third runway at the west London airport was declared the best option for extra runway capacity in the crowded southeast of England after a 2-year investigation by a govt-backed commission. Despite clearly opting for Heathrow, however, the commission’s choice has been kicked into the long grass by the UK govt, which at the end of last year commissioned yet more environmental studies into the impact of increasing capacity there. A final decision is not expected until well into the second half of this year. Deterioration in environmental conditions as a result of additional flights has always been regarded as Heathrow’s Achilles heel by its opponents. <br/>