EasyJet calls for tighter airport security
EasyJet chief executive Carolyn McCall claims airport security should be tightened around the word following the possible terrorist attack on a Russian passenger plane over Egypt.
Speaking to the BBC, McCall didn’t name specific airports, but she said it was a global issue.
She said the possibility that a bomb had brought down the Metrojet plane shortly after it took off from Sharm El Sheikh, killing all 224 onboard, meant it was time for a ‘fundamental rethink’.
"I think that in some airports security is very tight and very strict," she said. "British airports do security very well. I think [UK Foreign Secretary] Philip Hammond is right to point out that there are other countries that airlines fly to where it perhaps needs to be tightened.
"I think the government has come out quite clearly and said that Sharm will have to tighten airport security
"I think everybody would agree with that. It’s not a blanket message, it’s a very specific message about certain airports around the world.
"This will be a global thing, not just an Egyptian thing or a North African thing.
"And I think passengers will be happy about that and I think airlines will support that, because no-one wants a security threat."
EasyJet had about 4,500 passengers in Sharm last Wednesday when the UK government announced it was suspending further holiday flights between the UK and the Red Sea resort.
McCall said EasyJet was hoping to have them all flown back home by the end of next weekend.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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