Manchester Airport Introduces Pre-Booked Security Time Slots

As air travel opens up again in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, new measures to protect travelers may result in longer airport procedures. Consequently, Manchester Airport in England is offering passengers the option to pre-book a 15-minute timeslot at security.

This measure is being implemented on a trial basis at Manchester Airport, allowing for more efficient management of passenger volume while helping to minimize queues. By booking their free slot, travelers gain access to a dedicated lane leading straight to the security checkpoint, enabling quicker access to the departure lounge. This initiative is part of a series of measures introduced by Manchester Airports Group (MAG) to enhance traveler safety and confidence as air travel demand increases.

The availability of the pre-booked security slots is limited and will require passengers to make a reservation approximately two hours prior to their flight departure. Importantly, if travelers arrive outside their allocated time, they will not be able to access the dedicated lane and will instead be redirected to the standard security queue, which may be longer than usual due to the social distancing protocols in effect.

“This new measure will allow us to manage our security process more efficiently in these challenging times, providing a better and more comfortable experience for passengers,” says Brad Miller, chief operating officer at Manchester Airport. He emphasized that this initiative is the latest in a series of measures MGM has introduced to enhance safety during the pandemic, which also includes requiring masks and testing temperature screening technologies.

If the trial proves successful, this technology may be implemented at the group’s other airports, including London Stansted and East Midlands. Other airports are likely to closely monitor the impact of this new measure on wait times.

As global lockdowns ease, the aviation industry is adjusting to a new normal.