U.K airport adds security tax

In what could be seen a sign of things to come, Liverpool John Lennon Airport has recently introduced a £2 security charge on departing passengers. Peel Holdings, which owns the airport, says that the charge is required to help defray the costs of increased security, but that argument isn’t cutting it with some customers. Low-cost airline easyJet says that its contract with the airport explicitly covers security costs, and is actually calling on passengers to boycott the airport to protest the fee.

easyJet claims the new charge effectively doubles what airlines pay for security, while the airport counters that the charge will help them keep queues to a minimum. Airlines using the airport are obliged by contract to turn aircraft around in 25 minutes, and officials say the security charge will enable most passengers to be processed by security in about five minutes.

Meanwhile, the government of the Philippines recently endorsed an additional security charge at Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila, after acknowledging that the security equipment there is insufficient and remains vulnerable to terrorist attacks