Watch: ‘Carnage’ outside Birmingham airport as passengers face huge queues outside

Tourists took to Birmingham Airport as they queued outside the terminals at 4am.

Airline passengers say they have been told to report three hours early for flights after confusion over a return to 100ml liquid rules.

The video at the top of this story was shared on X, formerly Twitter, this morning by Express & Star Wolves correspondent Liam Keen, who commented: “Absolutely embarrassing at Birmingham airport with this queue at 4am.”

Another social media user called Russell White said: “Carnage at Birmingham airport. Three lanes of queuing at 4 in the morning.”

Charlotte Ann said: “PSA to anyone worried about traveling from Birmingham airport at the moment. Joined the queue at 04:45 and got through security by 06:00.”

Russ Cockburn 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.”

Birmingham Airport has published new advice on its liquid rules stating: “The new government directive means that passengers can only carry liquids, pastes and gels up to 100ml in hand luggage. It is imperative that all customers comply with the rule at national level to ensure a smoother and simpler transition through the airport.”

The airport spent £60 million to upgrade its security desks and introduce high-tech scanners known as Next Generation Security Checkpoints (NGSCs), which would have allowed passengers to carry up to two liters.

But last Friday (June 7) the government announced a return to pre-technology rules.

Government stipulation means that passengers at all UK airports are only allowed to carry liquids of no more than 100ml in liquids, pastes and gels in their hand luggage.

It said the 100ml restriction had been re-introduced in the six regional locations that had relaxed the rule to “allow for further improvements to the new checkpoint systems”.

The move was not in response to a specific threat, he added.

Birmingham Airport has been contacted for comment.