Huge queues outside Birmingham Airport could last ‘for months’ as more passengers are seen waiting in the cold after days of chaos

Huge queues outside Birmingham Airport ‘could go on for months’ as more passengers are left waiting in the cold after days of chaos.

Disruption began on Thursday when long queues formed amid confusion over new rules for 100ml liquids and 3D baggage scanners.

Angry passengers waited hours to get through security after the airport installed new technology that allows people to travel with up to two liters of liquids in their luggage.

Now insiders have claimed queues could last for months and the airport is “underloaded”, leaving staff “overworked” and “struggling”.

The unnamed employee told BirminghamLive that passengers complain to him about missed or delayed flights on a regular basis and said the situation was “very bad”.

Disruption began on Thursday when long queues formed amid confusion over new rules for 100ml liquids and 3D baggage scanners

Angry passengers waited hours to get through security after the airport installed new technology that allows people to travel with up to two liters of liquids in their luggage.

Frustrated passengers faced hours-long queues as they made their way through airport security

Huge lines were seen outside the terminal, snaking down the side of the building

The problem apparently stems from understaffing and the time it took to complete the upgrade of the new security hall, with the source adding that the airport should have hired additional security personnel to combat these issues.

How 3D scanners are supposed to spell the end of 100ml liquid limits

Current liquid rules state that flyers are only allowed to carry 100ml containers in hand luggage.

This year, however, passengers at certain airports will be able to carry 330ml (2L) containers through security.

Similar to those used in hospitals, the new CT scanners capture high-resolution 3D images, enabling accurate baggage screening without the need to remove items, speeding up the security process.

It means travelers will be able to leave liquids, laptops and electronics in their bags when going through security.

Baggage rules will still vary between different airlines, so passengers are urged to check before travelling.

In response, airport bosses said an “ongoing recruitment campaign for security officers” was in place and added that missed or delayed flights were “not necessarily” their fault.

Trouble began on Thursday, with long queues forming as new rules for carrying liquids caused confusion among passengers.

The chaos didn’t ease as it did on Friday, and over the weekend people showed up three hours early for their flights but still found themselves stuck in long lines at security.

Birmingham Airport met a deadline earlier this month to install new 3D baggage scanners, but officials at the West Midlands hub have decided to combine both the old and new rules for carrying liquids “until further notice “.

The airport said the former 100ml limits still apply, but passengers will be allowed to carry them in hand luggage instead of taking them out to be screened separately in clear bags.

Birmingham Airport said in a statement that in addition to security delays caused by the new technology, “ongoing construction work on site” added to the “usual busy morning” as customers waited in ” long skinny tails’.

On Friday, a spokesman for Birmingham Airport said: “With building work ongoing and liquid restrictions in place, the airport was naturally busy as you would expect for a Friday getaway.”

“Queues can be seen daily at peak times, which is natural for any airport. An image of a tail is subjective and in the moment, at that moment. We strongly advise customers to follow our advice and only show up according to check-in opening hours.

“We have had no reports of hypothermia or calls to our medical line to help passengers. We have trained first responders on site and none of our staff have been called to treat anyone.

“We ask customers to check our social channels and website and follow our simple instructions to make traveling through Birmingham Airport easier for everyone.”

MailOnline has approached Birmingham Airport for further comment.