The CE of a Qatar Airways says that terrorists targeted by the controversial laptop bans introduced in the US and UK will move to locations where there is less scrutiny of airline passengers. Akbar al-Baker says that measures such as the ban are not necessarily “what the travelling public wants”. He argues that terrorists will simply go to airports where there are no bans. “And there are no bans in certain airports that are very risky...but it is far easier to get on to aeroplanes from those places than it is with us,” he says. Baker says that the explosive trace detection test that is already a standard part of airport security provides a ready-made and near-fool-proof alternative to the equipment ban. “This is a 100% solution,” he says. Qatar Airways subjects 4 out of every 10 passengers to this test before boarding. <br/>
oneworld
British Airways could start charging for meals on long-haul flights, the airline's boss has revealed. In September it was announced BA would scrap free meals for economy flights in favour of Marks & Spencer salads and sandwiches. And now the airline's boss, Alex Cruz, has said it could start charging passengers on long-haul flights for their meals, risking claims it is penny-pinching. BA has come under fire from passengers who have said they have been unable to buy food on short-haul flights because stocks have fallen too low. Cruz, however, insisted: "It’s going great. Customers say to us: ‘Finally, I have good choices. No more chicken or beef’.” Cruz insisted that the airline would regain its reputation as "the best in Britain and the best in Europe" within 2 years. <br/>
British Airways is introducing automated biometric technology to create self-service boarding gates at London Heathrow. Passengers passing through the security channel will have a digital scan of their face recorded. When they arrive at the gate and scan their own boarding pass, their face is matched with the previously recorded data. If the two digital images match, the passenger is allowed to board. BA said the system, which was trialled in June 2016, is now being rolled out, with the first 3 boarding gates for UK domestic flights at London Heathrow Terminal 5 now fitted with the necessary equipment. The carrier plans to open 3 more self-boarding gates for domestic services every week until mid-June, with the aim of extending it to international flights at a yet-to-be-determined date. <br/>