Huge queues outside Birmingham Airport ‘could last for months’ as more passengers are left waiting in the cold after days of chaos.
The disruptions began on Thursday when long lines formed amid confusion over new 100ml liquid rules and 3D baggage scanners.
Furious passengers have waited hours to get through security after the airport installed a new technology which allows people to travel with liquids up to two litres in their bags.
Now, insiders have claimed that the queues could last for months and the airport is ‘understaffed’, leaving employees ‘overworked’ and ‘struggling’.
The anonymous employee told BirminghamLive that passengers complain to him about missed or delayed flights regularly and said the situation is ‘really bad’.
The disruptions began on Thursday when long lines formed amid confusion over new 100ml liquid rules and 3D baggage scanners
Furious passengers have waited hours to get through security after the airport installed a new technology which allows people to travel with liquids up to two litres in their bags
Frustrated passengers have been facing hours-long queues as they make their way through airport security
Huge lines have been seen outside the terminal, snaking around the side of the building
The issue apparently stems from a shortage of staff and the time it has taken to complete the new security hall upgrade, with the source adding that the airport should have employed extra security staff to combat these problems.
How 3D scanners are to spell the end for 100ml liquid limits
The current rules on liquids states that flyers are only allowed to carry containers of 100ml in hand luggage.
This year, however, passengers at select airports will be able to carry 330ml containers (2L) through security.
Similar to those used in hospitals, new CT scanners take high-resolution 3D images allowing luggage to be checked precisely without the need to remove items, thus speeding up the security process.
It means travellers will be able to leave liquids, laptops and electronics inside their baggage when they walk through security.
Baggage rules will still vary between different airlines, so passengers are urged to check before travelling.
In response, airport bosses said a ‘continual recruitment campaign for security officers’ is in place and added that missed or delayed flights are ‘not necessarily’ their fault.
The issues started on Thursday, with long queues forming as the new rules for carrying liquids sparked confusion amongst passengers.
The chaos hasn’t eased up as on Friday and over the weekend people turned up three hours early for their flight but still found themselves stuck in long lines at security.
Birmingham Airport met the deadline at the start of this month to install new 3D baggage scanners, but officials at the West Midlands hub decided to combine both the old and the 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 inside their hand luggage instead of getting them out to be screened separately in clear bags.
Birmingham Airport said in a statement that alongside the security delays with the new technology, ‘on-going building works on-site’ have added to the ‘usual busy morning’ as customers have waited in ‘long and skinny queues’.
On Friday, a Birmingham Airport spokesperson said: ‘With the ongoing construction works 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. A picture of a queue is subjective, and in the moment, at that time. We strongly advise that customers follow our advice and turn up only in line with their check in opening time.
‘We had no reports of hypothermia or any calls to our medical line to assist passengers. We have fully trained first aiders onsite and none of our staff were called to treat anyone.
‘We ask customers, check our social channels and website to follow our simple instructions to make travelling through Birmingham Airport easier for all.’
MailOnline has approached Birmingham Airport for further comment.
