Heathrow scraps plans to speed up security

A bid to slash queues at Heathrow using high-tech scanners has been blown off course following a row with aviation regulators over airport charges. The rollout of scanners which would allow passengers to leave toiletries and laptops in hand luggage has been delayed because the airport says it can no longer afford to install the kit after suffering billions of pounds of losses during the pandemic. Heathrow finance chief Javier Echave blamed the Civil Aviation Authority for refusing a request to increase charges on airlines in the wake of the Covid crisis. He said: “The CAA’s reticence to uphold the principles of existing regulation... is already forcing us to cut investment, with tangible consequences for our passengers. One of our most popular upgrades is the rollout of enhanced security equipment. This technology has the potential to make passenger journeys through security much more convenient by allowing passengers to keep their liquids and laptops in their hand luggage.” London-based Smiths Detection was awarded a GBP50m contract to supply Heathrow with computed tomography scanners similar to those used in hospitals. In what would have been the largest use of the technology at any UK airport, the scanners allow security staff to see through bags in far greater detail - avoiding the need for passengers to remove certain items and cutting queue times dramatically.<br/>