Birmingham Airport passengers flying before June may see changes and warned they ‘may be confused’

New hand luggage rules will be implemented at Birmingham Airport on June 1, however passengers flying before then may notice some early changes to the security process. The city’s airport security hall is undergoing a £60 million makeover, which will include the installation of new state-of-the-art scanners.

BHX will be one of the first major UK airports to change its systems in June, with others such as Manchester and Gatwick missing the government’s initial deadline. Once operational, passengers will no longer be restricted to 100ml liquid containers and will not have to unpack their e-liquids when going through security.

However, some passengers flying out of Birmingham have recently noticed that some changes have already been made ahead of the official launch, although airport officials have urged travelers to follow the current rules. Three of the new scanners were installed at the city’s airport in April and have already been put into operation, meaning some passengers flying overseas before June could be directed by staff to a security lane using the new scanners, in while others will use the old scanners. cars.

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Several tourists took to Twitter to share their confusion, reporting that they didn’t have to remove their liquids and electronics from their bags during their recent trip, with one saying: “We were told to leave liquids and electronics in bags . Make up your mind. .”

A spokesman for Birmingham Airport said this week that while the current hand luggage rules “can be confusing”, travelers should follow existing rules to avoid delays. Passengers were told to “make sure they are prepared before the security search area”, removing any liquids, creams and gels and placing large electrical items in the security trays. Until June 1, passengers should continue to adhere to the 100ml liquid limit and put them in resealable plastic bags in a safety tray.

There have been reports of long queues through security at BHX this week following a “technical issue” on Monday with some passengers missing their flights. The airport said around 15% of carry-on bags are currently rejected by security for being “non-compliant”, each adding an extra ten minutes to the screening process on average. Customers can also expect to queue downstairs during busy periods as the upstairs waiting area is out of service due to renovations.

An airport spokesman said: “We would like to remind our customers that existing security restrictions remain in place. This can be confusing for our customers.” They added: “Waiting and walking routes are constantly changing, however our colleagues are around for any help and assistance in the terminal. We apologize to our customers for the impact this transition may have from time to time.”

Not all UK airports will have completed their security upgrades by June, so passengers flying from elsewhere have been advised to check the current rules at their departure airport. Travel agents association ABTA also advised travelers to “prepare with existing rules” to avoid unnecessary delays at the airport and urged people to check hand luggage rules for their return airport as well.

“Even if a UK airport has the new scanners in full operation, the traveller’s destination airport may not, meaning they will be subject to the 100ml liquid rules when they take their return flight,” it said. says in the statement. Director of Public Affairs Luke Petherbridge added: “What travelers need now, as we head into the peak months for overseas travel, is clarity on what they need to do when going through airport security.

“When fully implemented, the new airport scanners will speed things up and strengthen security. However, recent extensions from the Government show there is still some way to go before the new security rules are consistently in place at UK airports.

“With this in mind, our best advice is to prepare for your travels with the existing rules in mind. That way, you’ll be ready to comply no matter the scenario, avoiding any unnecessary delays through security and any difficulties when returning from your destination. You can also check in advance with your airport and we recommend you also check with your return airport.”