TRAVEL chaos at Dover has left passengers stranded today as queues continued at Birmingham Airport.
Operators P&O Ferries, Irish Ferries and DFDS have cancelled, delayed or rerouted sailings because of a dispute over pension reforms.
P&O Ferries issued an alert to customers shortly before 8am on Friday which stated: “Our check-in is currently suspended.
“Rest assured if you miss your booked departure, we will get you on the next available.”
Irish Ferries cancelled at least four sailings on Friday, while DFDS rerouted all its Calais-Dover crossings to Dunkirk, which is around 30 miles to the east of Calais.
Meanwhile Birmingham Airport entered its second day of chaos amid claims two people were treated for hypothermia while queuing.
Travellers took to social media to moan about the delays at the airport with waits of one hour and 40 minutes reported.
One X user wrote at 5.18am: “I’m typically British so not a natural complainer but this is a proper shambles.
“Just treated two people for hypothermia.”
Several people uploaded pictures of long queues on social media, but by 9am these appeared to have been cleared.
One social media user, @BiteYourBrum, posted images earlier this morning showing swathes of holidaymakers queuing outside.
She wrote: “Birmingham Airport is an absolute shambles. Glad I came three hours early now.
“I can hardly see Departures but there’s hundreds in front of me just to get inside.
“Oh and if you come by monorail they’ll just send you outside to join this [the queues].
“And I cannot stress how p***ed off people are. Relentless complaining, feel incredibly sorry for the three girls they have out trying to calm people down.
“No hyperbole, this is the worst I have ever, ever seen this airport.”
She said that it was “a bit speedier” once inside but “not much”, adding that she waited around an hour and 40 minutes.
Another X user, Jodie Rhianon, also posted a picture of the queue outside the airport.
She wrote: “If you are thinking of flying from Birmingham Airport anytime soon. Don’t.”
It comes following a day of chaos for the airport yesterday, which saw furious passengers forced to wait in huge queues.
Passengers due to fly from BHX were waiting outside the departure check-in areas before even reaching the security hall.
Holidaymakers vented their frustrations on social media yesterday, with one describing the airport as “carnage” and another saying the size of the queue was “disgraceful”.
A third 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.
“And check in desks open two hours before, despite tickets recommending three hours. If you’re booking holiday now avoid it like the plague.”
A fourth posted: “As usual, chaos at Birmingham Airport, still the worst airport for so many years.”
Birmingham Airport’s advice to travellers
Birmingham Airport posted an infographic on X, formerly Twitter, at 3.20am, advising customers on how best to speed up their journeys.
It said: “Travelling with Jet2 or TUI before noon? You can drop your bags off the day before.
“On the day you travel, head straight to security.”
“Make sure you arrive when your check-in opens, this can be found on your booking information.
“Know your check-In Zone inside the terminal: Zone A for Jet2, Zone D for Emirates, Zones B & C for all other airlines.
“If you have checked in online, and have no hold baggage, please arrive at the time advised by your airline and make your way to join the security queue on the ground floor.
“Our new security area construction works are still on-going. This means the queuing area for security is mainly downstairs.
“Please note that all passengers arriving by train are required to head to the ground floor to join the queue for security.
“Please leave all compliant liquids and electricals in your hand luggage. Customers should follow these instructions:
“Liquids, pastes and gels, up to 100ml should be left in hand luggage during the security search. All electricals to remain in hand luggage during the security search.
“When going through security please ensure all items are out of pockets including phones, keys, coins and tissues etc. Watches can be left on.”
The airport had finished its £60million “state-of-the-art” security hall upgrade in May following months of construction work.
It will eventually allow passengers to carry liquids of up to two litres in cabin baggage.
But despite the work being completed, the airport had previously said that “until further notice” passengers would only be able to carry liquids of up to 100ml as “partial regulatory restrictions” were in place.
The airport said the upgrade would allow it to accommodate 18 million passengers by 2033 – up from 12 million currently.
A Birmingham Airport spokesperson said today: “With the ongoing construction works and liquid restrictions in place, the airport was naturally busy as you would expect for a Friday getaway.
“Queues can be seen daily at peak times, which is natural for any airport.
“A picture of a queue is subjective, and in the moment, at that time.
“We strongly advise that customers follow our advice and turn up only in line with their check in opening time.
“We had no reports of hypothermia or any calls to our medical line to assist passengers.
“We have fully trained first aiders onsite and none of our staff were called to treat anyone.
“We ask customers, check our social channels and website to follow our simple instructions to make travelling through Birmingham Airport easier for all.”