Group 4 plans return to US airports

GROUP 4 Securicor, whose US operations are being sued over alleged security failings in the 9/11 terrorist atrocities, is aiming to re-enter the American airport-guarding market.

Chief executive-elect Nick Buckles today said that he believes the security of US airports will be put back out to private contract 'in the next couple of years', and that Group 4 Securicor will be bidding for work.

The issue is likely to be highly sensitive. Litigation from 41 people who lost family members in 9/11 blames Securicor's US subsidiary Argenbright over its screening of two flights used in the 2001 attacks. A court case, expected in about two years, could coincide with the US government's move to reverse its post-9/11 decision to federalise airport security.

The Argenbright brand has now been abandoned. Buckles said the company would be likely to bid for new airport contracts via its Wackenhut brand. The group is defending the claims against it.

Group 4 Securicor, the Anglo-Danish security giant which merged last summer, today reported a 10% rise in underlying operating profits to £216m for 2004, though that is before £180m of charges. The inaugural dividend is 1.85p.