14 June 2024 , 14:47
1323
0
Chaos hit Birmingham Airport has told passengers when they should arrive to catch flight after days of long lines snaking out its terminal.
In recent weeks Birmingham Airport has struggled with security delays and set backs due to the installation of new CT scanners, confusion over liquid allowances and then a government U-turn. Today, more people have had to queue outside the airport's entrance to get through security.
TikTokers have also shared videos of queues following airlines advising passengers to arrive three hours early. Today (June 14) at 4am, one TikToker posted a video of the queues winding across a road in front of the airport's entrance. Another shared a similar video, stating "Thank God it isn't raining".
A traveller on X (formerly Twitter) said: "I didn't think anywhere could be worse than Birmingham Airport for security and I was right. All done and dusted in Rome in four minutes."
Have you been stuck in the queues at Birmingham Airport? Email us at webtravel@reachplc.com
Holiday hack to get 48 days off by booking just 19 days of annual leave in 2023
Birmingham had spent £60m to upgrade its security desks and introduce hi-tech scanners known as Next Generation Security Checkpoints (NGSC) (SWNS)In a statement giving advice to passengers, Birmingham Airport looked to clear up confusion as to when passengers should arrive to avoid the worst of the chaos. They said that passenger should "arrive at the time advised by your airline" as TikTokers share footage of queues and their experiences.
The spokesperson said: "Make sure you arrive when your check-in opens, this can be found on your booking information. 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."
However, the severity of the queues clearly depends on the time of the day when your flight is due to depart. Another TikToker had a completely different experience. In a video posted yesterday, they said: "So we've got to Birmingham airport four hours early because social media told us there were queues outside.... and you are waiting every single day.. but no everyone — is going straight up."
"I'm fuming," he added.
Another traveller commented on X: "Foolishly believed all the hype about Birmingham Airport and arrived three hours before our flight. Then had the fastest ever experience through security into departures. Now we’ve 2.5 hours to kill!"
In light of the government U-turn, Birmingham Airport has attempted to help passengers "get airport-ready" the latest restrictions via a video on its social media. The video shows what can and cannot be taken through security, including how much children's slime is allowed.
Further confusion arose after some airlines warned holidaymakers to arrive three hours early for flights taking off at Birmingham Airport. EasyJet passengers were informed they would need to arrive an extra hour early if travelling from another British airport following the disruption.
Birmingham Airport was one of the few airports to meet the government's original deadline of June 1 to install new CT scanner technology that will eventually allow a relaxation on liquid restrictions. Though, many airports failed to meet the deadline leading to the government extending it until next year and announcing a U-turn on the lifting of liquid restrictions for the foreseeable future.
Check out by signing up to our free weekly newsletter.