The dramatic step-up in security levels at all UK airports has trickled down to airline catering but their business has not been seriously affected so far.
A terrorist plot to bring down planes between the UK and the US was thwarted but heightened security is causing severe delays at all national airports. All UK airports have been instructed to suspend inbound and outbound flights until 3pm.
And the MI5 has raised the threat of terror warning to “critical” - the highest level - after police arrested 25 people on suspicion of attempting to smuggle explosives onto 10 different aircraft.
The drama is having a significant effect on the trade. Vehicles delivering fresh produce around the country are caught up in major traffic chaos on motorways, particularly in the vicinity of airports. One catering supplier told FPJ that his company has "a lot of vehicles on a rammed-up M4 at the moment, and a lot of customers screaming for their orders".
Martin Riecken, vice president of corporate communications for airline catering firm LSG Sky Chefs, said the situation has become more difficult but is largely under control. He said: “Of course we do require significant movement and now we have limited access. The security measures for caterers have stepped up but we have adapted to these measures by implementing the necessary operational measures so for now there is not much of a problem.”
Riecken admitted that delays in airline schedules could disrupt catering services more severely but said it was too early to tell what repercussions the incident would have. Another supplier said: "There really isn't much you can do. Your customers become very reliable at times like this! But it's really a case of wait and see."
David Barrett, divisional director of Mack Service, said his customers have not made any official announcements so far, adding: “If they start cancelling flights as a result of a back log we will experience a reduction in orders but these things often clear up quite quickly.”
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