Airports go slow on Delta’s plans to expand VIP security lanes

NEW YORK (Reuters) – As travelers face long waits for US airport security checks, Delta Air Lines Inc wants to expand limited access lanes to allow its top fliers – and anyone who pays a fee – to jump to the front of the line.

But some airport managers are balking at the idea, saying they don’t have the room or don’t want to do anything that may compound delays for regular fliers. Houston’s two main airports plan to drop the program next year.

Eleven other airports have the expedited lanes operated by CLEAR, a private company. For $179 a year, CLEAR checks users’ identities and links them to iris scans and fingerprints.

At the airports, CLEAR employees verify customers’ identities and escort them to the US Transportation Security Administration screening area – bypassing other travelers.

Delta, which bought a 5 percent stake in CLEAR in April, wants the service to expand into its US hubs. Delta also plans to discount CLEAR for frequent fliers and make it free for customers who spend $15,000 and accrue 125,000 miles in a year.

The No. 2 US airline in passenger traffic said it wants to increase the use of CLEAR because “customers tell us their time is valuable.”

But representatives of several airports told Reuters they had concerns about adding or expanding the service.

An official with Houston’s Bush and Hobby airports said CLEAR lanes were little used – frustrating other travelers waiting in line.