Passenger Security
Our overriding priority is to continue to provide world class levels of safety and security in a customer-friendly way, with reduced queuing times and a simplified screening process. After successfully trialling shoe screening X-ray equipment, we piloted new state-of-the-art body imaging equipment and explosive detector dogs, during the year, both receiving positive feedback from our customers.
Manchester and East Midlands airports are both ranked 1st in their Air Service Quality (ASQ) benchmark group for security.
ASQ Benchmark Rankings for Thoroughness of Security Inspection
| Airport | 2008 | 2009 |
|---|---|---|
| Manchester | 2 | 1 |
| East Midlands | 2 | 1 |
| Bournemouth | 3 | 4 |
| Humberside | - | 2 |
Source: ACI
Following the failed terrorism attempt on a Delta Airlines' aircraft on Christmas Day 2009, the Department for Transport (DfT) instructed Manchester Airport Terminal 2 (and Heathrow Terminal 4) to put the imaging technology that we already had available into practice as part of our normal security regime. The DfT's directive did not affect Bournemouth, Humberside or East Midlands Airports as they do not have the imaging technology in place. All MAG airports have the appropriate procedures in place to protect our passengers and staff and are fully compliant with the Government's security requirements.
Safety is paramount to our business and we continue to give the highest possible priority to the security and safety of passengers, staff and everyone who uses our airports. This includes:
- continuing to develop our security service by testing and trialling further new technologies including security control gates, purpose built X-ray operator stations, imaging technology and performance control centres
- enhancing general awareness in the wider airport community through engagement campaigns developed by MAG's security teams
- providing state-of-the-art working environments for our security officers and customer service staff as part of maintaining world-class standards in security and safety.
We recognise the importance of respecting our passengers' dignity during the security process. All security staff attend training courses at least once a year to maintain standards of professionalism and ensure they are knowledgeable about the latest security developments brought in as a result of legislation or through the airports’ own measures to provide world class security. In 2009/10 these courses included training on helping people with disabilities and our dignity at work policies.