TRAVEL chaos has again struck Birmingham Airport with thousands of passengers stuck in security queues.
Holidaymakers have been facing lengthy wait times at the West Midlands airport since the government’s last-minute changes to hand liquid, where it ordered airports to restore the 100ml limit.
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BHX bosses announced a new security facility in May to be ready for increased limits, promising a “next generation” way for passengers advance through with electronics and liquid.
But with that new rule being rescinded and the facility still being worked on despite being operational, travellers setting off on their summer hols are being held back.
Jetsetters were on Thursday morning describing the scenes as a “health and safety disaster”.
It was estimated that by 5:30am there were already more than 1000 people queuing up.
Davey Asprey wrote on X: “Queuing for 98 minutes already and still outside of the airport for security.
“I’m British. We love a good queue, but this is ridiculous.”
Speaking to Birmingham Live, the passenger there was very little progress an hour into waiting.
The traveller said: “We have been queuing for over an hour and still not reached the lifts.
“It is literally a health and safety disaster as animals would not be treated so badly.
“I estimate at 05:30 there are approximately 1,000-plus people queuing.
“It’s running something akin to a third world operation.”
The Sun has approached the airport for comment.
On Thursday morning the airport issued a reminder to passengers not to exceed the liquid limit.
Posting to X, a statement said: “All passengers leaving BHX can only carry containers up to 100ml in liquids, pastes and gels in their hand luggage.
“Do not put them in plastic bags in your hand luggage and do not remove them at security. There is no restriction on how many 100ml containers are carried.”
Angry travellers took to socials to share there experiences waiting to take off.
One holidaymaker posted to X: “After a manic 3 hours at Birmingham airport, a delayed flight to Malaga and a #storm like I’ve never experienced in my life … here’s to Thursday in sunny Spain.”
Another wrote: “90 mins to clear security. Joined queue at 4.55 am. Horrid experience.”
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Travellers earlier this month vented their frustrations with queues seen snaking outside the door and up the street on June 6.
One passenger said: “Travelling from Birmingham Airport is an absolute shambles. It has the longest queue for security that I’ve ever seen in my 49 years.”
Queues lasting two hours then continued to hit the airport through mid-June.
A traveller took to X on June 16 to let off some steam, saying: “Birmingham Airport today.. two hours of security queues. Get here early.”
BHX is the only airport struggling to move customers through security.
Why are there long queues at Birmingham Airport?
BIRMINGHAM Airport has recently opened a new £60million ‘state-of-the-art’ security hall.
The hall is part of a wider £300million upgrade to the airport which is expecting to handle 18million flyers a year by 2033.
The upgrade will eventually allow passengers to carry liquids of up to two litres in cabin baggage.
But regulatory approval is yet to be granted for the increased liquid limits at Birmingham.
A spokesperson has previously said that work continues on the hall.
“Although our new security hall is operational, we still have on-going building works on-site and are awaiting regulatory approval that will allow liquids of up to two litres to be taken through in cabin baggage.
“These building works will continue for the foreseeable future as we redevelop the airport, which is part of our planned, and previously announced, £300m investment.
“Until further notice, passengers are advised that they can only carry liquids up to 100ml, albeit it can stay in hand luggage and no longer needs to be in a plastic bag, when departing from Birmingham Airport.”
With the holiday season arriving, Manchester Airport has also faced aviation anarchy.
Passengers were on Monday complaining about two-hour wait times at bag drop.
It came after a major power cut on Sunday which caused all flights from Terminals 1 and 2 to be cancelled.
The blackout meant passengers were unable to check-in, and also led to piles of unclaimed luggage.
A raging traveller wrote on X at 6.20am: “Manchester Airport remains the worst airport in the world. Two hours to drop bags and go through security; what a sh**show.”
Manchester Airport’s Managing Director Chris Woodroofe issued an apology.
Mr Woodroofe said: “First of all an apology, my sincere, personal apologies to every single passenger who has been impacted by what has gone on at Manchester Airport today.”
He added there was a “big power spike in our electrical system” that “damaged some really key equipment for our departures security and our departures baggage system”.
The 100ml hand luggage rule at UK airports explained
GOING through airport security can be a stressful experience, so it’s important to be aware of strict hand luggage rules before you travel. Most UK airports will be implementing the following rules:
- All liquid items packed in a passenger’s hand luggage must be less than 100ml
- Liquids include items like gels, aerosols, moisturisers, sunscreen and makeup products
- All liquid items must fit into a 20cm x 20cm sealed plastic bag, before they go through the scanner at airport security
- Electronic items like laptops and tablets must be removed from bags and placed in a separate tray.
New CT scanners have already been installed at Teesside Airport, London City Airport and Aberdeen Airport, which means holidaymakers will be able to pack two litres of liquid in their hand luggage.
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