UK airports run the risk of "grinding to a halt" unless there is more competition and considerable improvement in procedures, an industry expert has warned.
Mike Greenacre, Managing Director of Co-operative Travel, has voiced his support over the Competition Commissions report on BAAs airport monopoly, slating the organisation as "inefficient, ineffective and complacent".
"BAAs main focus in its offering to the consumer revolves around how many designer shops, cafes and restaurants it can provide in order to extract as much revenue as possible from the captive audience that are its millions of travellers," said Mr Greenacre, also an ABTA Board Director .
"The ridiculous queues at both check-in and security, where there is inconsistency and confusion amongst holidaymakers, come as a direct result of a lack of investment from BAA, both in terms of staffing and equipment."
"The solutions to these problems can only arrive through increased competition, which will result in more investment in airport infrastructure, a comprehensive review and standardisation of security procedures and a minimum service level agreement for customers."
The Co-op MD concluded by saying the independent travel firm "will be pushing for improvements to airport procedures", which if ignored could result in some UK hubs "grinding to a halt".











