Birmingham Airport Bank Holiday passengers ‘faint amid chaotic security queues’

Passengers at Birmingham Airport have told how people “passed out while queuing in chaotic scenes” this holiday. One said “the security line was through the terminal building and out onto the street” today, Monday 6 May.

Some criticized the organization of the airport with “thousands” queuing for lifts and “only three working scanners” which are used to check boarding passes before going through security. Another passenger said it took two hours to check through security, but claimed there was no sign upstairs saying the new scanners were operational.

The airport said the busy bank holiday weekend was forecast and publicized with customers “queuing in unfamiliar areas”. He also apologized for the ongoing construction work.

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Passenger Paul Beadle told BirminghamLive: “It’s pretty bad in here. Elderly people complaining about waiting in line for two hours, people in wheelchairs not moving and I saw a few people pass out. Lots of stressed families with kids and people. who are in the middle of the queue, but their flight follows in a few minutes.

“It’s chaos, understaffed, no signage and people just confused. There are only four elevators to the security level, and when you get there only three gates are working – and that’s before you get to security proper, where they scan you. bags.”

He also posted on X: “Still chaos @bhx_official – trying to get 1000 people through a handful of lifts. Terrible organization. And when you get to the security level, there are only three working gates – even some of the green ones are rope. torn off. And that’s before we get to the security scanners.”

Another passenger wrote on X: “Blimey @bhx_official what a mess! The security queue is through the terminal building and up the street! Bank holiday Monday. At least the weather is nice!” Another passenger said: “@TUIUK complete chaos at Birmingham airport. We had a lounge reservation for 1pm and we didn’t even get through security. He didn’t let us check in until 3 hours before the flight and it’s already been 1 hour. to get this far.”

Another passenger said: “2 hours to clear security today @bhx_official. I expect delays while you update things, but not even a sign upstairs saying the new scanners were operational and what was now allowed to stay in the bags. Also, why are there 3 scanners sitting idle when it’s so chaotic?” A final passenger added: “Severe security delays at Birmingham airport allowing at least 1.5 hours to pass after checking in at @birminghamairport # birminghamairport #airport #jet2 #AirportLook”.

A spokeswoman for Birmingham Airport told BirminghamLive: “Birmingham Airport is still in the transition phase from existing security to its new security area. This is confusing because customers will see the unmanned security search paths as we operate in the two separate areas.

“This bank holiday weekend, as forecast and announced, is still busy with customers queuing in unfamiliar areas. Our construction works are ongoing and for this we apologize.”

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