Security tests for new airport workers are being completed quickly, ministers say, despite travel disruptions.
Time spent vetting new employees has been cited as a reason for airport staff shortages, contributing to thousands of flight cancellations, delays, and lost luggage.
Airports in the UK and Europe have been affected in recent months as the aviation sector struggles to meet peak season demand after two years of coronavirus-related turbulence.
Counter-terrorist checks for aviation workers are now processed in under 10 days, half the time seen in March.
The department said average accreditation checks take five days.
In other developments:
• Heathrow Airport’s fueling system caused delays on Saturday.
• A breakdown at Paris’ Charles de Gaulle airport left 1,500 bags stuck. Michael O’Leary, CEO of Ryanair, said flying has become “too cheap” and fares will rise in five years.
Shapps said: “It’s unacceptable for the current disruption to continue as we head into the summer peak.
“The public deserves to know now if their flight will run over the summer, so I reiterate my call for the industry to commit to delivering the scheduled flights or canceling them well in advance so people can make other arrangements.
“Building on our 22-point plan to minimize disruption, we’ll do everything we can to make this summer a success for the British public.”
Labour accused the government of “vanishing”
“The part-time transport secretary didn’t hold a single meeting to tackle the chaos between Easter and the Jubilee weekend,” said Louise Haigh.
These re-announced half-measures won’t clear security check delays or fix the industry’s low pay.
The Department of Transport said Mr. Shapps met with airports, airlines, and ground handlers on 1 June.
Ryanair workers in Spain are striking for 12 days this month, and France is experiencing industrial unrest.
Heathrow must report any further flight cancellations by Friday under a new amnesty allowing airlines to cancel flights while keeping next year’s take-off and landing slots.
Airlines buy schedule slots but can lose them to rivals if they don’t fly.
It’s hoped that allowing airlines to freely adjust schedules will end last-minute flight cancellations.
