TRAVEL chaos has struck Birmingham Airport once again as hundreds were forced to queue outside from 4am.
Holidaymakers were told to turn up three hours early for flights at the West Midlands airport after confusion over a U-turn on 100ml liquid rules.
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Video and pictures shared on X, formerly Twitter, this morning showed long lines snaking around at the airport’s entrance.
The queue marks another stressful morning for flyers who have not known whether they will get through security on time.
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A new clip was posted to social media by one man who wrote: “Carnage at Birmingham Airport. Three lanes of queuing at 4am.”
Another said: “Utter chaos again. Queues all over the place.”
A third penned: “Get to Birmingham Airport early. It’s chaos. 4am.”
A Birmingham Airport spokesperson previously pinned the issues on flyers who arrived with more than 100ml of liquids in their bags.
They said: “Our new security area was designed, and resourced, to accommodate the increase to two litres being carried in cabin baggage, this currently cannot be operated with the temporary restriction.
“In order to have full compliance to this new directive we have further amended our operating process.
“We now have ‘liquid check stations’ at all entrances to the terminal where colleagues are directly assisting passengers to ensure liquids containers over 100ml are removed.
“With these additional checks we have seen a large proportion of customers still arriving with liquids over 100ml in their bags and these have to be regrettably removed and disposed of.
“Containers that can carry more than a 100ml are permitted but, need to be completely empty.
“Our security flow rate has been continuous today, helped by these extra checks and we welcome and appreciate the co-operation of our passengers in eliminating oversize liquids from their cabin baggage.
“The outdoor queues seen today are from ‘liquid check stations’.
“Since our new security area opened in May, we have seen continuous non-compliant bags coming through security causing unnecessary queues and delays to customers’ journeys.
“This new step in the process is to remove the issue before customers proceed.
“It is now, more than ever, imperative that customers abide by the 100ml rule.
“This additional layer of control risks slowing down the security process without the support of passengers.
Why are there long queues at Birmingham Airport?
BIRMINGHAM Airport has recently opened a new £60million “state-of-the-art
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.”
“For customers who are less able to stand for durations we advise they book the assisted travel service.
“However, if a customer is queueing during our peak periods and feels they need assistance then our customer ambassadors are in the area and can assist them without losing their place in the line.”
The airport was also hit by long queues last week.
But, despite what passengers said on social media, a spokesperson said the lines had “moved fast”.
They said: “We had a usual busy morning at Birmingham Airport, with customers queuing in unfamiliar areas.
“The queue was long and skinny in parts however it moved quickly through the terminal.”
Flyers had described the queues on those days as “carnage” and “disgraceful”.
One 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.
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“And check in desks open two hours before, despite tickets recommending three hours.
“If you’re booking holiday now avoid it like the plague.”
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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