THOUSANDS of passengers have been left in huge queues at Edinburgh Airport today after a “major baggage failure”.
Images show hundreds of travellers stuck in long, winding queues as they try to get through the airport’s check-in desks.
Holidaygoers caught up in the queue chaos have told how the huge line is “snaking out of the terminal”.
And it could lead to travel chaos and massive delays for those heading on their holidays.
It is understood that it has been caused by an apparent baggage belt failure that staff are currently “working hard to fix”.
However, airport insiders insisted that the delays were NOT due to a broken baggage belt.
Many have taken to social media after being caught in the massive line – with some saying they have already been waiting for over an hour.
One person wrote: “Absolute chaos at Edinburgh Airport after the baggage belt broke.
“Queues for the desks snaking out of the terminal and round in a spiral. We’ve been waiting for an hour and we’re still outside”.
Someone else posted: “Carnage at Edinburgh Airport with baggage belts broken on busiest day of the year. No Edinburgh Airport management in sight”.
While a third chimed in: “What’s happening at check-in? No movement on the United line for 25min so far and no messaging other than ‘operational issues’.”
Flights that recently landed at the busy airport are also facing long waits for their luggage.
One traveller who arrived in Edinburgh posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, after they had not been allowed off their plane since it landed over 40 minutes ago.
They said: “What a shambles Edinburgh Airport, probably busiest day of the year, flight arrived over 40 minutes ago and not even off the plane, meanwhile parking charges through the roof.
“Get your act together it’s embarrassing”.
Another frustrated passenger added: “Shambles at Edinburgh Airport. Flight FR1018 from Budapest.
“Most of the bags not in hall almost 40mins after flight. No one at desk & calls going to VM & cutting off… NOT good enough”.
A letter sent to a passenger by Jet2, seen by The Herald, said that people “may experience delays” at check-in.
It states: “We are sorry, but you may experience delays at check-in due to a baggage belt failure.
“We are working hard to fix this, and we appreciate your patience during this time”.
A spokesperson for Edinburgh Airport said: “Although waits were longer than we would expect at check-in during the peak time, and we drafted in our own teams as extra support to help our partners, queues are now back inside and the situation has improved.
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“Passengers are thanked for their patience as teams continue to work hard to keep everyone moving as quickly as possible.”
Baggage handlers Swissport have been contacted for comment.