A TIGHT deadline to install new baggage screening equipment at the airport will be met – because it has to be met, MHKs were told.
Tynwald last month voted to spend just under £3 million on a new baggage handling and screening facility after hearing there was no viable alternative, as new stringent measures on airport security introduced by the European Commission meant that the existing X-ray equipment could no longer be used from September 1.
Failing to comply with the new standards would mean that Ronaldsway would lose its domestic airport status and no hold bags would be allowed onto aircraft.
In the House of Keys this week, Infrastructure Minister David Cretney MHK was asked whether the new equipment would be installed by the date specified by the UK Department of Transport.
The minister explained that work had begun on schedule on April 2 and the intention was that the project would be operational for September of this year.
Mr Cretney told the Keys: ‘This is a very tight timescale, but we believe we can meet it, because we must.
‘The design and construction team are fully focused on this objective.’
Leonard Singer MLC asked the minister if he was aware of an EU Regulation from October last year, which, he said, permitted the extension of the use of ‘standard one’ equipment as currently used at Ronalsdway until January 1, 2014.
He said the department could well have sought this extension, then put in ‘standard three’ X-rays nine months earlier than required, and that would have saved having to spend money in the interim on ‘standard two’ equipment.
Mr Singer suggested that Mr Cretney’s department may have ‘needlessly cost the taxpayer several hundred thousand pounds by rushing the installation of standard two equipment by pushing it through [Tynwald]’.
The minister said he was sure the department was aware of the EU regulation but added he wanted to check before replying to ensure that he did not give an answer that was less than factual. Mr Cretney said the clear message was the deadline must be met.