I agree with the tenet of the article. However, as someone who travels through the airport on a regular basis Derry Airport comes up trumps as one of the worst airports for the over zealous security staff. I have travelled all over the world but have noticed that in the last 6-9 months that travelling out of Derry is like going through a maze of loops just to get on a one hour flight to London, Dublin or somewhere else in England or Scotland.
Here are two examples from the last 5 weeks. I was told that I could not proceed to security as my on-line boarding pass was printed in landscape rather than portrait. I pointed out to the "gentleman" that all he had to do was scan the barcode and that would verify my flight details. I also pointed out that this had not been an issue at Stansted, which processes over 23 million passengers a year, when I had flown to Derry. He grumpily agreed to let me through but said he would not do it again. This week I left my girlfriend off at Derry on a flight back to London and waited for her to go through security. She was refused permission to take an overnight bag and her handbag through as carry-on luggage – she had to leave her handbag behind after decanting a few Christmas presents etc. This is extremely petty, customers are customers and not criminals.
I've used Derry Airport for over 10 years and for the first time would now seriously consider travelling to either of the Belfast airports and hiring a car. Derry Airport is extremely important in good times and in very bad times as it supports the infrastructure of Derry City, County, Donegal and north Tyrone. It would be such a shame if people choose an alternative choice due to the hassles of what should be a straightforward though important proceedure of checking your boarding pass and scanning your bag! I appreciate we live in difficult times with all the global security concerns but the policy being used at Derry is completely way over the top. This is a constant theme in overheard discussions in the departure lounge in Derry Airport so the management team and the owners – Derry City Council should take serious note. Surely what is good enough at Heathrow and JFK is good enough for Derry?

Airport user,
Derry