Airports shouldn't ask a 90-year-old woman to remove belt and shoes to walk through scanner

Airports must use hi-tech systems to reduce queues for frustrated passengers, an MEP claimed.

Speaking as airports struggle to keep up with demand during the busy Christmas period, Fine Gael politician Deirdre Clune said that airport security hasn't kept pace with modern available technologies.

The Ireland South MEP said: ""This is not about less security in our airports; it is about using technology and new methods to make security a less cumbersome prospect.

"Airport security has become a burden for both travellers and airports where it now accounts for 35% of airports operating costs across Europe.

"Rather than a “one size fits all” solution based on reacting to a specific security incident, Europe should move towards a risk-based security system, where low risk passengers are identified and given expedited checkpoint screening."

The MEP said that passengers on a "trusted traveller" programme would not have to remove jackets, belts, shoes and laptops as well as liquids from cabin luggage, thus streamlining waiting queues.

She added: "I welcome moves by the European Commission to look at the use of new technologies to make airport security more efficient. Modern technology should mean that we are gone beyond the stage where we are asking 90 year old women to remove their belt, shoes and wallet to walk through an old fashioned metal detector."