Birmingham Airport boss: ‘I share passengers’ anger at ridiculous queues but summer should be OK’

Airport CEO Nick Barton admitted he shares travelers’ frustrations after travelers reported long waits to get through security before boarding their flights.

Photos and videos, often showing lines of people outside the airport terminal, have been regularly shared on social media in recent weeks.

Mr Barton said the problems were caused by a new government rule passengers are not allowed to carry liquids, pastes and gels larger than 100ml in hand luggage.

This was despite Birmingham Airport spending £60 million to upgrade its security offices and introduce high-tech scanners known as Next Generation Security Checkpoints (NGSCs) , which would have allowed passengers to carry up to two liters.

The ruling has clamped down on the airport’s new security facility, leading to long delays as staff remind passengers that only 100ml containers are allowed.

Asked if he understood the travellers’ anger, Mr Barton said: “I don’t just understand it, I share it.