New security area opens at Gatwick

Passengers have been promised a speedier passage through a major UK airport following the opening of a new 45 million pounds security area, it was announced here Tuesday.Opened by Transport Minister Theresa Villiers, the new facility at the south terminal at Gatwick airport in West Sussex, outside London, should lead to each passenger being processed in under five minutes, the airport authorities said.The 19 new security lanes will allow almost 5,000 people per hour to pass straight through to the departure lounge.The lanes include two just for families with young children and passengers with reduced mobility, and two for passengers travelling first class or business class.Before they go through security, passengers will get instructions on large screens in five languages to help them understand exactly what they can and cannot take through security.Also, passengers travelling through the new security area will benefit from security access gates where passengers simply swipe their boarding card or smartphone displaying their boarding card.Another feature is the colour-coded lanes with screens displaying the actual queue time, enabling passengers to choose the lane they want to use.Gatwick's chief executive, Stewart Wingate, said "We're committed to making the airport experience an easier, speedier and less stressful experience for our passengers."This opening is just part of a 1.2 billion pounds investment in Gatwick, as we continually look to innovate and deliver solutions that will provide real benefit for passengers."