Irish budget carrier Ryanair is suing the UK government for just over £3 million ($5.7 million) in compensation, after the expiry of the airline's deadline for restoration of normal airport security levels.
On 18 August, Ryanair gave seven days' notice to the UK government to lift what it referred to as "nonsensical and ineffective" heightened airport security measures, which were introduced in UK airports after police foiled an alleged plot to attack passenger aircraft. Failure to meet the deadline, said Ryanair, would result in legal proceedings under Section 93 of the Transport Act 2000. The UK Department of Transport dismissed Ryanair's claim, saying the measures were implemented under the Aviation Security Act 1982.
"The purpose of this claim is to encourage the Department of Transport to restore UK airport security to the effective IATA norm and to prevent similar breakdowns at UK airports," says Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary.
Source: Flight International
