New security costs concern at JLA

The latest terrorist bomb plot, the failed Christmas Day attack on a flight from Amsterdam to Detroit, has highlighted the need for greater airport security. However, regional terminals across the country, such as Liverpool's John Lennon Airport, have serious concerns about the cost of new security technology.

In the light of recent events, we asked Liverpool John Lennon Airport what they are doing to improve security at their Speke premises. A spokesperson said: "Passenger safety is our number one priority. Prior to the terrorist attack we had already started construction on a new, expanded security area to cope with increased passenger numbers and security measures, with the latest generation of security equipment to be installed.

"The airport obviously complies with the security requirements, but we are concerned with the mounting costs of increased security measures for regional airports at a time when in the last 18 months we have seen some of the most difficult economic conditions for all involved in the aviation industry."

Although expensive, John Lennon Airport assured us the cost of new security technology could not be passed on to the consumer as existing long-term pricing agreements are already in place with many airlines. Therefore, extra fees being added to the cost of the airline tickets are unlikely, but the airport may have to charge more for its own services in future, such as car parking , if the affordability of new technology becomes an issue.

The Airport Operators Association (AOA) is lobbying on behalf of UK airports since regional airports may struggle to cope with the larger costs associated with expensive new equipment, such as body scanners, which are said to be around £100,000 each.

One of their arguments is that many airports in Europe do not have the same financial constraints as their UK counterparts. Some airports in Europe are state owned and receive financial aid from their governments to pay for security. UK airports like JLA are privately owned which makes it their responsibility to fund their own security, while meeting the standards set by the European Union and the Department for Transport. Airports in the UK believe the government should consider similar financial support for new security measures.

The Chairman of the AOA, Ed Anderson, said he would prefer a security strategy that "adapts progressively", where the government does not outright demand unaffordable security measures of UK airports, and instead encourages them to upgrade at a rate they can afford.

The Department For Transport is currently reviewing the security requirements of UK airports in response to the Detroit bomb plot, where a terrorist failed to detonate an undetected chemical explosive in his clothing. The introduction of body scanners is not yet compulsory, but the DFT is ordering that UK airports make more use of the Explosive Trace Detection Devices. This means flyers can expect to see more swabbing of bags and items of clothing in UK airports by the end of the year.

The Department for Transport confirmed that the country's biggest airport, Heathrow, will be the first to invest in the latest body scanning technology, with the airport and its main carrier, British Airways, expected to share the costs.