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Govt to ease airport staff vetting rules, reports

Government
Will Payne
19 April 2022

Airports and airlines will be able to train staff before their security vetting is complete under proposals put forward by aviation minister Robert Courts, according to reports in the national press. 

As of November, flights from the UK to the US have recovered to 92% of 2019 levels

Brits are continuing to prioritise spend on travel

The move comes in a bid to prevent further travel disruption in the build up to the summer period amid a shortage of airport workers.

In a letter to the chief executives of airlines, airports and ground handling companies seen by The Telegraph, Courts said he will bring forward legal changes "within weeks" to allow training to take place quicker. 

Although they can be trained, staff will not be allowed to work in the airside part of an airport until security clearance is complete.

Courts reportedly blamed legacy EU rules for causing the problem and told the Telegraph "it cannot be dealt with" until legislation is changed.