Sir Michael Bishop, the chairman of bmi, has criticised BAA for using increased security as a pretext for getting passengers to spend more time shopping at its airports.

Echoing the concern of a number of airlines, Sir Michael believes that BAA’s lack of investment in security scanners has forced passengers to arrive at airports earlier.

BAA recommends that passengers arrive four hours before an international flight and three hours before a European flight to clear security. Longer check-in periods give passengers more time to shop in the terminals.

Sir Michael said: “BAA asks people to come to the airport early only for the shopping. But people want to pass through as quickly as possible and that dichotomy has got to be solved, because what people want is seamless travel. People don’t want to go shopping.”

Bmi, the former British Midland, reported yesterday that operating profits during 2006 had risen 85 per cent to £10.2 million. However, the company estimates that this figure could have been £10 million higher were it not for security disruptions at Heathrow. A terrorism threat in August forced BAA to increase security inspections and enforce new regulations regarding what articles can be taken onboard aircraft.

A number of airlines have criticised BAA for inadequately staffing its security checkpoints after these changes. Ryanair kept a log on its website of the number of security checkpoints open at Stanstead and apologised to its passengers for delays caused by BAA.

The airport operator is also thought to have paid compensation to airlines for failing to meet security processing targets.

The Civil Aviation Authority is proposing guidelines that would require BAA to process 95 per cent of passengers through security within five minutes. BAA was not immediately available for comment. Although many passengers have long suspected that BAA tries to encourage shopping by keeping them in airports longer, it is unusual to hear such criticism from an airline owner.

Virgin Atlantic backed Sir Michael’s complaint. A Virgin spokesman said: “Heathrow appears to have turned into more of a shopping mall than an airport. It’s got to go the other way because passengers want a seamless process of check-in, clear security, then get on the plane.”

Bmi said that it planned to take advantage of a recent “open skies” agreement between Europe and the United States to initiate transatlantic services. Sir Michael said that the airline was still talking to its partners in the Star Alliance network but confirmed that bmi would fly to the United States from Heathrow once the new rules come into affect next March. The airline intends to lease more Airbus A330s to service the planned routes.

Sir Michael, who owns 50 per cent of bmi, added that he was considering the future of the airline after expressions of interest from British Airways and Virgin. Lufthansa, the German carrier that owns 30 per cent of bmi, also has an option to buy out Sir Michael from the end of next year. He said: “There are many options in the future ownership structure.”

High numbers

BMI in figures for 2006

— Turnover up 4.2 per cent to £905.4 million

— Pretax profits up 197 per cent to £29.7 million

— Operating profits up 85 per cent to £10.2 million

— Debt down 33.3 per cent to £57.2 million

— Higher fuel costs added £48 million to overheads

— bmibaby, the low-cost subsidiary, now carries 40 per cent of the airline’s passengers

— Bmi bought British Mediterranean from BA in February, adding 16 destinations in the Middle East

Source: bmi

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