Continuously improving security at London Gatwick Airport

The role and its challenges

London Gatwick Airport’s security is its largest department, responsible for overseeing the safety, screening and security of the UK’s second busiest airport by passenger numbers. As Security Continuous Improvement Manager at Gatwick, Jav Mizra is accountable for leading all elements within the department for improvement.

For Mizra, his role involves creating a “change culture”, developing clear plans that can deliver improved productivity, customer and colleague experience, and reducing operational expenditure.

Technology and innovation are crucial for the improvement of security and productivity, however, for Mizra there are challenges in implementing these advancements. Mizra notes: “A lot of [new technologies] are not on the regulator’s approval list. A key challenge for me is how we can adapt what is out there in the market to meet the regulation, as well as providing us productivity gains to keep improving, whilst we wait for the new technologies to be on that approval list.”

Another challenge that Mizra faces is managing a workforce of 1,500 people. It is imperative to create an exciting environment that all employees can engage with, so that everyone is aligned in playing a part in delivering for Gatwick.

Optimisation of security 

“At London Gatwick, safety and security underpins everything we do,” asserted Mizra.

This is why at Gatwick, Mizra and his team, when thinking about an innovation or new implementations, first ask themselves a question; “Will this keep our colleagues and customers safe and secure?”

They work closely with its EHS team, trade unions and the security compliance team.
And if they can’t confidently get past this first stage, they won’t progress any further until
they can confidently answer the question with yes.

One new technology that Mizra is excited about is self-service security solutions, which have a video monitor that offers step-by-step instructions, allowing passengers to complete the screening process at their own pace. Once passengers finish the necessary screening and are cleared for travel, automated exit doors open, allowing them to collect their belongings and proceed to their flights.

At the time, Las Vegas Airport were trialling the new security solution with the TSA, with Mizra paying close attention to its development.

Although these technologies are still in their early stages, Mizra sees great promise in their development. However, he notes that while they are not yet suitable for Gatwick’s high throughput model, it’s an area to watch as these systems evolve. “I’m really keen to see how that progresses,” he said, acknowledging that it might take a few more years before such solutions are tailored to the scale of operations at Gatwick.

Acquiring new technologies

Mizra also explained how Gatwick stays at the forefront of technological innovation through a combination of supplier relationships, industry networking and attending conferences – such as International Airport Summit. “We have very strong relationships with our suppliers,” he remarked, adding that he regularly meets with them to discuss their upcoming innovations and how they might benefit Gatwick.

Networking within the industry also plays a vital role in discovering new technologies, as insights often come from colleagues, shareholders and industry contacts. Additionally, attending exhibitions and conferences has proven to be incredibly insightful. Mizra recently began attending these events in his current role, and he encourages anyone involved in decision-making or process improvement at airports to attend as many of these events as possible. “You really learn a lot at them,” he said.

Proudest achievement

Reflecting on his time at Gatwick, Mizra’s proudest achievement has been leading a team that developed and implemented a workforce planning model designed to calculate Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) demand in the most efficient manner. This model not only kept Gatwick within its budgetary constraints but also delivered new rosters for the airport’s workforce of around 1,000 security officers. Importantly, the new rosters focused on employee welfare, offering more choice and flexibility to frontline staff. The result was a well-received change, providing both efficiency and an enhanced work-life balance for security personnel.

As Security Continuous Improvement Manager, Mizra’s role at Gatwick is central to maintaining the airport’s security excellence while simultaneously fostering a culture of continuous improvement. His focus on balancing innovation, regulatory compliance and workforce engagement underscores the complexity of optimising security at one of the UK’s busiest airports. By carefully considering new technologies, working closely with key teams, and staying engaged with industry developments, Mizra continues to lead Gatwick’s security department towards a safer, more efficient future.

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