Passengers have claimed that a huge queue has formed outside of Birmingham Airport this morning (September 13) as the security line is back to its “usual chaos”
Birmingham Airport has been hit by severe delays this morning with passengers facing a massive queue to get through security.
Travellers have taken to social media to express their frustration, with many branding the situation as the airport’s “usual chaos” after a period of disruption earlier in the year. On social media platform X, passenger James Bailey reported that around 500 people were waiting to enter the airport, stating: “BHX back to its usual chaos.”
He described a “One hour queue to get to security. Approx 500 people queuing outside to get onto the new lifts to security.” Bailey also noted that “Express lane machines switched off, not available to purchase. This is [the] state of the Second City.” The passenger said he made it eventually made it through security after 75 minutes, adding: “BHX has seven new scanners, six are working, so they can’t really blame that.”
Passenger Glen Rodgers claimed the queue to get through security last night was “a shambles”. He added: “Passengers late for their flight. 1.5 hrs to get through and a further 20 mins to get bag checked.”
Echoing the sentiment, Jerry Hoyle lamented: “Is Birmingham Airport the worst airport in Europe? Absolute chaos this morning – it’s embarrassing! ” Meanwhile, another traveller informed us that after an hour at BHX this morning, he was “not even at security” yet, reports Birmingham Live.
A holidaymaker who waited outside BHX this morning said he’s glad it wasn’t raining. “Just made my flight to Edinburgh this morning despite arriving early. Horrendous queues for security starting outside and looping all the way through the inside of the airport.”
Earlier this year long queues outside and inside the Birmingham Airport terminal were a regular feature. Amidst this disruption, the travel hub was working to complete its rollout of a new “state-of-the-art” security hall, leaving customers to navigate liquid restrictions and await the completion of the revamped checkpoint area.
Before the installation was complete, there were consistent reports from anxious travellers of hefty queues at certain pinch point times, particularly over half-term, when there was much passenger frustration. The scanners were installed to speed-up the security process, with the high-tech machines able to check bags without passengers having to remove electronics and liquids.
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Nick Barton, Chief Executive Officer of Birmingham Airport, told the Mirror at the time: “The rules that we have been adhering to since March are now very clear in that only liquids, pastes and gels up to 100ml can be carried through in hand luggage. Since opening our new security area, and despite being one of the first UK airports to comply, we have been limited on the use of our multi-million-pound equipment due to an outstanding regulatory restriction meaning we had to limit liquids to 100ml. This rule has now been implemented nationwide.
“Despite the 100ml rule still being in place, we continually have non-compliant bags with liquids over the allowance which have led to inefficiencies of our equipment and resulted in extended queuing time for customers. It is now imperative that all customers comply with the nationwide rule to ensure a smoother and simpler transition through the airport. A non-compliant bag with liquids over 100ml can add up to 20 minutes to each passenger’s journey through security.”
A Birmingham Airport spokesperson said: “Due to a combination of unforeseen factors including technical issues and a cancelled flight, for a short period this morning some passengers were queued outside the terminal. The vast majority of our passengers have not waited for more than 10 minutes over the summer and we are sorry this was not the experience for some this morning. The terminal is now clear and security is flowing efficiently. Not the return to chaos some are reporting and passengers should arrive at the airport allowing time advised by airlines, and not earlier.”
