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Manchester airport tests pre-bookable security slots

Manchester airport is to trial pre-booking security slots for passengers.

The aim is to help restore confidence in travel as the airport begins to see more people wanting to travel.

Travellers can pre-book a free 15-minute security slot, as part of a new trial by owner MAG.

The trial is part of a series of measures to help passengers feel safer and more confident, particularly when travel demand starts to grow again in the near future.

The technology will be put in place at the group’s other airports at Stansted and East Midlands if it proves to be successful.

Passengers booking a slot in advance will have access to a dedicated lane straight to the security checkpoint and will be able to reach the departure lounge quicker.

The initiative will also allow the airport to manage the volume of passengers coming through security more efficiently and help keep cut queues.

The availability of slots is limited and will be operated on a first come first served basis, through online booking, accordng to the airport.

Passengers are encouraged to make a booking around two hours before their flight departure and arrive within the chosen slot.

Those who turn up outside the allocated time will not be able to access the dedicated line and will be redirected to the security queue, which may be longer than usual given social distancing measures that the airport will put in place.

The airport group became the first last month to ask all passengers to cover their face either with face masks or with their own clothing.

All MAG staff dealing with passengers are also required to wear the necessary protective equipment.

Manchester airport chief operating officer Brad Miller said: “Safety and security will always be the first priority and, at the same time, Covid-19 will undoubtedly reshape the airport experience.

“We are exploring every innovation and technology that can help us to adapt to the new world, protect public health and restore confidence in air travel.

“This new measure will allow us to manage our security process more efficiently in these challenging times, providing a better and more comfortable experience for passengers.

”It is the latest in a series of measures introduced by MAG to make travel safer during the pandemic, which includes asking passengers and colleagues to wear face coverings and piloting temperature screening technologies.”

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