EasyJet imposes tough security gate deadline – or pay £80 for new flight

Strict 30-minute limit will end dash to make take-off but critics warn the policy will confuse passengers

EASYJET has introduced a 30-minute cut-off point to stop customers rushing through security at the last minute.

Britain’s largest low-cost carrier is to impose a new rule which means anyone trying to pass through security barriers with less than half an hour to spare before take-off will be rejected.

The estimated 15 million easyJet passengers flying from Gatwick each year will now have to arrive in plenty of time or face the choice of abandoning their journey, or paying £80 for the privilege of switching to an alternative flight.

The airline also offers “missed flight cover” for £7.50 which needs to be bought before travel and gives the op- tion of a full refund or travel on the next available flight.

Gatwick airport will update its security barriers to catch travellers who have missed the deadline at the point when they have their boarding passes scanned.

The move is expected to cause particular outrage among short-haul passengers who opt to fly as a faster alternative to taking the train, as they could have half an hour added to their minimum travel time.

Previously, passengers with hand luggage were free to go through the security check and run to the departure gate in the hope of catching the flight.

EasyJet is warning customers of the change through a note on its boarding passes which says: “Gatwick security control gates are automatically being timed to close 30 minutes before departure.” But this is likely to confuse passengers as the boarding passes also state they should enter the security area with at least half an hour to spare.

EasyJet admitted a passenger who is just in time to get through the barrier is likely to be turned away from the gate.

A spokesman said: “Occasionally, gates may not shut precisely [30 minutes before departure] for a number of operational and passenger reasons.” Rejected customers will be told to go to the desk “to rearrange their travel arrangements”. Anyone who has not taken the missed flight cover will be asked to pay a £80 “rescue fee” if they want to switch flights.

British Airways already has a similar policy to stop late commuters at Heathrow Terminals Three and Five.

A spokesman for easyJet said: “Punctuality is important to our passengers and that is why we ask passengers to be at the gate no later than 30 minutes before the flight departs.

“We are implementing this, based on a proven model at Heathrow’s Terminal 5, to eliminate unnecessary journeys for passengers who then need to be escorted landside. The vast majority of our passengers arrive as we suggest … to board the aircraft.”