British airports are leading the charge in travel efficiency reforms, but for passengers it means an extra hour at the terminal. Sir Tim Collins, chief executive of British Airways' parent company IAG, today urged holidaymakers to “arrive three hours before your flight” as airports roll out new security scanners and digital gates. The advice, directed at passengers flying short-haul as well as long-haul, marks a departure from the standard two-hour window.
Collins said the change is necessary to “maintain our world-class punctuality” as airports invest in technology to speed up processing. But critics warn the three-hour rule could add to travel costs, especially for families already struggling with the cost of living. If you're telling people to get to the airport three hours early, that's an extra hour of parking, an extra hour of childcare, an extra hour of not earning,"
said Hannah Green, a mother from Manchester flying to Spain next week. The reforms include new CT scanners that allow liquids and electronics to stay in hand luggage, and automated e-gates that cut queuing time. London Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester are among the first to adopt the technology.
The government has backed the changes, claiming they will “cement the UK as a global leader in aviation efficiency”. But for the average worker, the extra hour is not just a matter of convenience. It's a pay cut if you're hourly,"
said Mick Davies, a union rep at Birmingham Airport. The boss isn't going to pay you for sitting in Departures." The announcement comes as the airline industry faces mounting pressure on both staffing and costs.
IAG reported bumper profits yesterday, up 45% year on year. The divide between boardroom bonuses and the real economy is stark. He can afford to tell us to get there three hours early.
He's not the one taking the bus because the car park costs £40," said Green. The reforms are due to be fully rolled out across all major UK airports by summer 2025.
