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.

"As the law on background checks was retained after the European Union exit, ministers do not have the powers to alleviate, as they do under other categories of aviation security regulation," he added.

Referencing and vetting usually requires between 14 and 15 weeks to complete and is performed by a combination of the aviation industry and Department for Transport.