Passengers flying from Birmingham Airport have so far reported it to be fairly smooth this morning (June 22) - a contrast to scenes earlier this week. It has been a settled start to a weekend of travel, with thousands expected through the terminal.
Generally, queues die down by mid-morning, but there has been traveller confusion over the reworked 100ml max rule on liquids, compounded by reduced queueing space as the airport pauses unveiling its "next generation" security hall in full.
On Saturday, June 22, @labgirlkate took to X to report at 5:02am that she got through security in just under 40 minutes. She described her security journey as "overall pretty smooth, but tiring." @Brett4286756 added at 6:46am: "Flying this morning got to airport at 4.45 am through security in 30 minutes."
Temporary structures have been erected to help ease the current queuing issues we have seen for several weeks now. BHX has also deployed 100 new "liquid consultants" to meet passengers before they get near security to ensure their bags are compliant. More on that recruitment wave, here.
Long security queues at BHX were again reported on Friday, June 21, although many holidaymakers said they had passed through checks within 75 minutes at peak times.
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This is a live blog, follow below for updates on security, liquid rules, travel updates and more.
Key Events
Birmingham Airport denies ‘two-hour security wait’
Birmingham Airport has responded to a question on why all bag scanning machines are not in use - and given its view on the maximum security queue time - and it vastly differs from the public and our reporter's experience.
A couple reported a one hour 45 minute wait on Sunday, June 9 and days earlier on Thursday, June 6 a one hour 17 minute delay was reported. While another said they had been in the queue for two hours and had not made the lifts to take them to the upstairs queuing toward the security scanning hall on Monday, June 17.
Manchester Airport
An airport that really has problems this morning is Manchester.
While we have been routinely checking out Birmingham Airport, owing to the queues, for weeks, Manchester has gone under the radar.
Well, there is chaos there this morning thanks to a power cut.
All flights from terminals one and two have been disrupted.
Birmingham Airport clarifies 100ml liquids rule as passengers question plastic bag advice
Birmingham Airport bosses have responded to queries on the 100ml rules for liquids, pastes and gels carried in hand luggage and taken through security. The city’s airport has received a backlash from passengers in recent weeks, who have had to endure long queues to go through the security bag and body scanning area at the airport. You can read what they had to say, here.
Astonishing amount of liquids seized
Since the restrictions were introduced on June 9, Birmingham Airport said they have had to remove a whopping 1.5 tonnes of liquids, pastes and gels every day to make sure that customers comply with the Government regulations. More on that,here.
'Be prepared'
"Be prepared" is the message from Mr Barton to every Birmingham Airport passenger. When asked what advice would he give to passengers worried about queuing space and long waits, Mr Barton replied: "Turn up in accordance with your airline, go on the website they will tell you exactly when check-in opens.
"Come here, be prepared crucially. So with your cabin bags be prepared, ideally put all liquids into your hold bag and in doing so you will get through in the best possible way and help us as an airport."
Birmingham Airport 'fast track' tickets double in price as queues continue
A fast track service that allows Birmingham Airport passengers to skip the queues on the way home from their journey will cost holidaymakers an extra £13 from the start of next month. More on that, here.
Software being checked as other airports affected
As we reported, a last minute UK Government directive insists that passengers only carry liquids, pastes and gels up to 100ml in their hand luggage. BHX had anticipated that by June 1, the 2 litre rule would come into play, easing nearly 20-year restrictions on liquid and bringing into play the airports new state-of-the-art kit. But government transport chiefs announced they needed to re-validate all the software on every machine (including at other UK airports such as London City, which had already rolled out the 2 litre allowance).
New signs are up in the airport
New signs reminding passengers of liquid rules
Every single liquid rule laid out
Birmingham Airport warns non-compliant liquids will be 'removed and destroyed'
- Only liquids, pastes and gels in containers up to 100ml can be carried in hand luggage – anything larger needs to be in checked in luggage.
- No liquids above this size.
- Anything above the 100ml will be removed and destroyed.
- There is no limit on the amount of under 100mls containers that can be carried.
- Containers that can carry more than a 100ml, such as insulated bottles, are permitted but need to be completely empty.
- Do not put your liquids, pastes and gels into plastic bags (please leave them loose in hand luggage).
- Do not take them out of your hand luggage when you're in the security search area.
- Leave all electricals in hand luggage during the security search.
- When going through security please ensure all items are out of pockets including phones, keys, coins and tissues etc. Watches can be left on.
10am report from queue
One happy traveller reported this morning that queues are completely down. @StephLMartin said on X: "Absolutely no queues at Birmingham Airport this morning at 10am."
Birmingham Airport parking prices 'most expensive airport for parking outside of London'
The price of parking at Birmingham Airport has been ranked against all major airports in the country - and it's not good news for holiday-makers using the Midlands-based hub. We've looked into parking prices here.
How is security looking on Saturday morning?
Passengers flying from Birmingham Airport have so far reported it to be fairly smooth this morning (June 22) - a contrast to scenes earlier this week.
- @labgirlkate took to X to report at 5:02am that she got through security in just under 40 minutes. She described her security journey as "overall pretty smooth, but tiring."
@Brett4286756 added at 6:46am: "Flying this morning got to airport at 4.45 am through security in 30 minutes."
@James8269765512 said: "Airport was very quiet at 07:15 today. Fast track. Empty. Straight through in under 10 minutes. Awesome. Loads of staff. All scanners working."
So far, good news if you are flying today!
How long would BHX CEO allow to get through security?
We spoke to airport boss Nick Barton at BHX's security gates as the airport rolls out measures such as a new passenger area and new liquids staff to deal with the fall out following over a sudden UK liquid rule change. Every word from our interview can be found here.
What does airport boss recommend to passengers?
BHX chief executive Nick Barton issued a stark message to holiday-makers when we asked him what they need to do to get through security and make their flight. Watch our interview with the travel boss below.
'Be prepared' says Birmingham Airport boss
We have spoken again to the boss of Birmingham Airport Nick Barton this week about the queues and what advice he would give to passengers coming in.
He told our reporter Naomi DeSouza: "Come here, be prepared crucially. So with your cabin bags be prepared, ideally put all liquids into your hold bag and in doing so you will get through in the best possible way and help us as an airport."
You can read the full interview with Nick Barton here.
'No queues'
It seems fairly quiet this morning compared to earlier in the week. Passenger Joe, writing on X, says he breezed through very quickly today.
Zero queues at Birmingham airport, imagine my shock of all the media scaremongering through check in and security within 20 minutes
— Joe (@joee290896) June 22, 2024
Birmingham Airport rule change
Here the airport sets out clearly what you need to do with your liquids if taking them through as part of your hand luggage - this is the hand luggage not anything you put in the hold. They've said the confusion has partly slowed the queues down in the past few weeks.
❗ All passengers leaving BHX can only carry containers up to 100ml in liquids, pastes and gels in their hand luggage. Do not put them in plastic bags in your hand luggage and do not remove them at security. There is no restriction on how many 100ml containers are carried. pic.twitter.com/DnGNQBKCZ5
— Birmingham Airport (@bhx_official) June 22, 2024
Liquid rule changes 'confusing'
Reporter Emily Chaplin flew out of Birmingham Airport a few weeks ago and although the liquid rule is still in place, it was easier on the way out - but not so on the way back. Here she explains to be aware that while you didn't need the plastic bags to put liquids in on the way out - it isn't always the same on the way back.
'pretty smooth but tiring'
One passenger flying this morning is Kaitlyn Marie, who said she arrived 45 minutes earlier than recommended for a KLM flight. She has written about her experiences on the social media platform X. Here's her summary of events so far today.
My experience at Birmingham Airport @bhx_official this morning: flight with @KLM at 6am. Was advised to arrive at 0330 on my boarding pass. I'm glad I didn't. I arrived at 0245 and was the 6th person in the queue to check in my bag. KLM opened the check in desk at 0335.
— Kaitlyn Marie (@labgirlkate) June 22, 2024
Good morning
Good morning, happy Saturday to you. Welcome to our live blog on the latest at Birmingham Airport. Queues have been a problem again this week.
'We understand passenger frustration and share it too' - Birmingham Airport
An airport spokeswoman told BirminghamLive: “As previously stated, not only do we understand passenger frustration in recent weeks, but we share it too.
"In response to that, the airport has worked hard and introduced a whole host of measures to help passengers in their journey. These include 100 additional staff and increased liquid stations, that will help passengers get ready to pass through security, following the new rules on liquids.
“Naturally, the airport will experience peak periods, as dictated by passenger demand. Passengers are remined to follow arrival advice from their airline.
"Passengers who arrive unnecessarily early, may have to wait for flight check ins to open adding to frustrations and unnecessary queuing. In order to reassure passengers, the typical queue time today was around 30 minutes in the morning peak, and no-one has missed a flight since 3rd June.”
'Stop blaming us'
Birmingham Airport passengers say 'stop blaming us' amid queues branded 'shambles'.
A number of holidaymakers believe the 100ml liquid limit rule for hand luggage is not the only factor in queue delays.
For the full story, please click here.
'It can only get better'
One BHX passenger said things 'can only get better.'
He posted on X: "About an hour this morning. It’s not the lifts it’s the security that’s fairly slow. It seems a long time but an hour isn’t that bad I suppose. It can only get better!"
About an hour this morning. It’s not the lifts it’s the security that’s fairly slow. It seems a long time but an hour isn’t that bad I suppose. It can only get better!
— Brandon Cook (@brandoncook50) June 21, 2024
'Using other airports until 2026'
One passenger dramatically told how he would be using other airports for the next two years.
He posted on X: "Birmingham Airport cannot cope at present and I’ll be using other airports until 2025/2026."
I would try and fly from another airport if you can. Birmingham Airport cannot cope at present and I’ll be using other airports until 2025/2026 pic.twitter.com/wXj5tDAve6
— CPPhoto (@CliffPPhoto) June 21, 2024
'Stop blaming the passengers'
One passenger told how they believed the 100ml max rule was not the main reason for the BHX issues.
They posted on X: "3 lifts to get to security… then not enough security lanes. Stop blaming the passengers, it’s been like this for months.
"Absolute shambles.. why aren’t the other airports having the same problems? They’ve had the same changes to liquids?"
'1.5 tonnes of liquids, pastes and gels removed every day'
Birmingham Airport bosses revealed staff have to remove a whopping 1.5 tonnes of liquids, pastes and gels from passengers every day to make sure that customers comply with the Government regulations.
Full story from BirminghamLive's Naomi DeSouza here.
'Shouldn't be that way'
In an update, Dr Christel McMullan said she got through the queue in one hour and 15 minutes in a far from ideal experience.
She posted: "Joined at 5.45 and got through security by 7am. Moving yes but it shouldn't be that way. And not knowing how long it takes to get through security means that I left home really early. And they blame the passengers for the queue???? Shambles."
School summer holiday 'chaos' fears
A passenger told how they fear 'chaos' at the airport during the school holidays - in a matter of weeks.
She urged the airport to open more security lanes.
Yet @bhx_official you won't do your part. You need to open up more security lanes. You can blame the passengers as much as you like but this problem won't be fixed until you realise you're causing it. It's not even school summer holidays yet, can you imagine that chaos?
— Gabrielle Willets (@gabriellew24) June 21, 2024
'Long queues aren't ideal - but staff working hard'
Another passenger posted on X: "I joined at 6.15 and was in the departure lounge by 7. Queues long but constantly moving and staff calling people out for earlier flights.
"I thought it was calm, organised and efficient. The long queues aren't ideal but staff were working hard."
