GENEVA, July 30, 2007 (AFP) - The head of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) harshly criticised Britain's airport screening policies Monday, saying they inconvenienced passengers without boosting security.

'Harmonised security measures across borders are more important than ever,' IATA General Director Giovanni Bisignani said in a statement on first half civil aviation statistics.

He said 'governments must focus much more on further harmonisation to ensure that effective security is also convenient for passengers.'