Flying start as boarding pass scanner introduced at Glasgow airport

GLASGOW airport has stolen a march over its east coast rival by becoming the first in Scotland to enable passengers to scan their own boarding passes in the security area.

The six automated scanners replace manual checks on boarding cards before travellers go through the security process.

A spokesman for the BAA-owned airport said the machines would reduce “already low queue times” for its 7 million annual passengers.

Managing director Amanda McMillan said: “Our focus has been on improving our customers’ journey through the terminal building and not only will this technology further enhance our compliance with strict industry security regulations, it will significantly reduce the amount of time passengers spend in the security hall, particularly during peak times.”

Tourism minister Fergus Ewing said: “This substantial investment is testament to the airport’s ambitious plans for growths and the installation of these new barriers will help provide a swifter service for those travelling to and from one of Scotland’s best known cities.

The airport highlighted that Gatwick and London City airports – owned by the firm which bought Edinburgh in June – already has such devices

Edinburgh airport, which BAA sold to Global Infrastructure Partners following a Competition Commission investigation, said it was considering installing the scanners as part of a review of security equipment for its 9 million passengers.

Both airports said the introduction of Scotland’s first airport body scanners on Saturday had gone smoothly, with some 500 passengers – about 2 per cent of the daily total – being randomly selected to use Edinburgh’s one. Hundreds used one in Glasgow.

The scanners are required to tighten security at airports handling United States flights.