Tough Heathrow rules seek to improve BA’s punctuality

Passengers traveling through Heathrow Airport’s new Terminal 5—set to open in three months—will have to prepare for tough, new check-in and security regulations, according to Britain’s Independent daily newspaper. According to the paper, the airport will implement a “zero tolerance” policy when it comes to ensuring that passengers check-in and pass through security on time. All passengers at Heathrow’s Terminal 5 will be required to get in line at the appropriate security checkpoint no later than 35 minutes prior to the scheduled departure of their flight. If they do present themselves at a later point, they will be denied entry to the secure departures area by security staff. Even those that try to pass security a half hour before their departure will be automatically considered to be “no-shows.”

The stringent new rule is one way that British Airways is trying to improve on its relatively poor record when it comes to punctuality. The UK’s national airline has developed a somewhat unenviable reputation for late departures and arrivals, especially for flights originating from Heathrow. For example, only a third of all BA flights departed and arrived on schedule during the first half of December, while the airline’s own (fairly conservative) target is set at 52%. The new BA rules are considered to be by far the most stringent of any major carrier, when it comes to turning away passengers who have already checked in, but have yet to pass through security, according to the Independent.

All of BA’s long-haul flights will operate from T5 as of April 2008.

www.terminal5.ba.com