Ryanair today threatened to formally initiate legal proceedings against the UK government unless the recently-implemented airport security restrictions are eased within seven days.
The Irish budget carrier yesterday said it was considering suing the government under Section 93 of the UK Transport Act 2000, which states that anyone who suffers “direct injury or loss” as a result of “actual or imminent hostilities or of severe international tension or of great national emergency” is entitled to compensation from the UK transport minister.
The UK transport ministry (DfT) yesterday dismissed Ryanair’s plan, suggesting any legal action taken under this act would not be applicable because the recent heightened security measures were implemented under the Aviation Security Act 1982.
Now Ryanair says it will proceed with its plan to seek compensation unless airport security requirements return to their “safe pre-9 August levels” within seven days.
This, notes the carrier, would require lifting the restrictions on carry-on baggage and limiting body searches to a quarter of all passengers instead of 50%, as is currently the case. Ryanair also wants the DfT to commit to drafting in police and military personnel to support airport security operations in the future.
“The best way to defeat terrorists and extremists is for ordinary people to continue their lives as normal,” says Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary. “Because of the additional security restrictions imposed by the government [on 10 August] the shambles at London airports has been anything but normal.”
The heightened security measures were swiftly implemented across all UK airports after an alleged terrorist plot to attack transatlantic aircraft was foiled by authorities.
Source: FlightGlobal.com
