BHX queues live as bosses address 'long and skinny' column of fuming passengers (2024)

End of live updates

A chaotic day at Birmingham Airport for travellers with work at the terminal building forcing passengers to queue outside to get through security. Lots of passengers have vented their anger at BHX and the way the work and resultant queues are being managed.

The airport has said it is 'unable to predict queue times' and described the issues as a 'usual busy morning' - although they continued well into the evening as well. These issues are occurring ahead of the peak summer holiday period and many due to travel will hope the issues get resolved swifty.

Fast-track tickets recommended by some

Several passengers have said fast track tickets - a paid-for ';express lane' pass, which costs a fiver may help reduce the queues and delays. Andrea Noakes said: "We had no problems at all, we brought fast track and just had hand luggage, was through in about 20 mins. Great experience, but was very glad to of brought fast track. Lots of queues but just went straight through."

But sometimes the airport's website does not allow you to purchase. And there are no guarantees!

Security system 'a shambles' but staff praised

Gus has taken to Twitter in the last few minutes and slammed the hold ups going through security - even in the evening. He said he has queued for 90 minutes and is yet to make it through security.

He said: "@bhx_official Your new security system is a shambles - I’ve been queuing for 1.5hrs and haven’t made it through Security yet. You’ve got 5 security/baggage belts of which 3 are open. Your staff however are great, polite, and trying hard to make things work."

'Birmingham used to be easier - but Luton now has better-managed system'

Another passenger who has travelled through BHX has criticised the way the queues are being managed having arrived in the early hours ahead of a 6.10am flight. Sarah Scott messaged BirminghamLive and said: "Arrived at 3:40 for a 06:10 flight, bag drop went smoothly then stood outside in the rain for 20 mins.

"Further queuing down to the lift area, queuing to go through the boarding pass gates. They had to stop letting people through as there was too big a queue.

"Then queued for the security itself. Birmingham used to be a lot easier to travel from but will now be considering Luton more often as they appear to have a better-managed system."

Work at Birmingham Airport to continue for 'foreseeable future'

With the busy summer holiday period underway and the schools' six weeks' break, itself just six weeks away, passengers have questioned how long these issues may continue for. A Birmingham Airport spokesperson earlier said: "Although our new security hall is operational, we still have on-going building works on-site and are awaiting regulatory approval that will allow liquids of up to two litres to be taken through in cabin baggage.

"These building works will continue for the foreseeable future as we redevelop the airport, which is part of our planned, and previously announced, £300m investment."

Another passenger vows to 'avoid' BHX

Stewart Nash criticised the queuing situation and has said he will go elsewhere in future. He said: "Absolute chaos. I am amazed that @bhx_official are continually surprised that people turn up expecting to get onto the flights that they have booked.

"Not the first time and won’t be the last by the look of things. I will be avoiding BHX for the foreseeable future."

'Queues are more than an hour'

Bob Craske has posted on X in the last hour and said he has faced a long delay and wonders when the airport will all be up and running. He said: "Have already queued for over an hour. 40 minutes outside. Thank goodness it was not raining. There was no cover. Signs say all will be fixed Summer 2024. But when in summer?"

Have already queued for over an hour. 40 minutes outside. Thank goodness it was not raining. There was no cover.
Signs say all will be fixed Summer 2024. But when in summer? pic.twitter.com/gtdF2tobj1

— Bob Craske (@BobCraske) June 6, 2024

BHX is 'torture and a shambles'

Passenger Rob Kendall says he was treated 'worse than cattle' at Birmingham Airport on Thursday (June 6) and has vowed to not use the transport hub again. He messaged BirminghamLive and said getting through the airport was like 'torture' and he described it as a 'shambles'.

He said: "We travelled today. The place is a shambles and who ever is in charge needs to go. The management decisions have been appalling.

"It’s a good job we are going on holiday as we will need a break to get over the torture that is travelling through BHX. We were treated worse than cattle, in future I will be flying from a different airport, one that understands customer service."

Queue snakes back to 'end of terminal building'

A disgruntled passenger with the name 'Wayne's World' on X has posted a photo showing the extent of the queue, which continues to be lengthy - well after the morning rush. He said: "WTF @bhx_official the queue to get into the departures is running to the end of the terminal building."

WTF @bhx_official the queue to get into the departures is running to the end of the terminal building. pic.twitter.com/LFITKogkYB

— Wayne’s World (fe/fi/fo/fum) (@phineaudio) June 6, 2024

'Astonishing lack of planning and management'

A fuming passenger, Chris Pinder, has posted a photo of the queues and slammed BHX officials for what he says is poor organisation from them. He said: "Did you not think about erecting large marquees in the car park maybe, perhaps even some basic signage to help people @bhx_official.? An astonishing lack of planning and management going on here."

Did you not think about erecting large marquees in the car park maybe, perhaps even some basic signage to help people @bhx_official ? An astonishing lack of planning and management going on here. pic.twitter.com/77bI7VnJJH

— Chris Pinder (@chrispinder) June 6, 2024

Birmingham Airport is a 'third world experience'

Angry BHX airport users are venting on X, formerly known as Twitter, with @FFriedan saying: "Go to Birmingham Airport for a third world experience…who the hell runs this shambles of a place…the “sorry we’re having work done” just doesn’t cut it. ABSOLUTE AND TOTAL NIGHTMARE. Seriously embarrassing and distressing."

While @JBCVAT said: "Arriving at 3am, you'll be through to the 'spoons within 30mins, arrive after 5am and the queues will have built up. I've recently flown at before 7am and after 9am and there is a big difference to queues and why you see mixed opinions."

Stairs open to reach security area, says BHX

When quizzed if downstairs lifts were the only way to access the airport's security hall, a BHX spokesperson said: "I can confirm there are stairs you can use to reach the security area.

"Please find a member of the Customer Experience team who will be able to direct you to this area."

Thanks for getting in touch. I can confirm that there are stairs you can use to reach the security area. Please find a member of the Customer Experience team who will be able to direct you to this area.

— Birmingham Airport (@bhx_official) June 6, 2024

Tell us about your BHX experience

We would like to hear from you if you travelled from Birmingham Airport today.

Tell us about your experience, good or bad, by emailing harry.leach@reachplc.com

BHX statement on security hall

Providing an update on the security hall, a Birmingham Airport spokesperson said yesterday: "Birmingham Airport is one of the first UK airports to meet the June 1 Government deadline for the implementation of new security screening standards for passenger and cabin baggage. However, certain liquid restrictions will remain in place.

"In due course this new equipment will allow liquids of up to two litres to be taken through in cabin baggage, however some restrictions temporarily remain in place. Until further notice, passengers are advised that they can only carry liquids up to 100ml, albeit it can stay in hand luggage and no longer needs to be in a plastic bag, when departing from Birmingham Airport.

"The Airport has invested £60m in its new larger security area. This area is purpose built with simpler, streamlined equipment and will futureproof Birmingham Airport from its current 12 million passengers per year in 2024, to accommodate 18m passengers per annum by 2033."

BHX says 'we're unable to predict queue times' after chaotic morning

Birmingham Airport was heavily criticised today after admitting it was "unable to predict queue times" amid a chaotic morning. A huge queue snaked outside BHX's front door today - leaving holidaymakers furious.

Anxious passengers in the long queue to get through security described the scenes as a "shambles", "carnage" and "disgraceful". Airport chiefs said the airport had "a usual busy morning" with passengers "queuing in unfamiliar areas".

Click here to read more.

Tell us about your BHX experience

We would like to hear from you if you travelled from Birmingham Airport today.

Tell us about your experience, good or bad, by emailing harry.leach@reachplc.com

UK tourists heading to Europe will be 'tracked' under strict new rules

New Border Force rules for British travellers visiting the European Union mean Brits face being TRACKED. The EES system - as it has been referred to - was previously scheduled by Brussels to go live in the European Union in 2022.

It is due to launch in October this year but industry sources believe it will be postponed until at least 2025 amid delays to the development of an app to smooth the process. The scheme will require holidaymakers to undergo biometric checks, meaning there could be huge tailbacks at ports such as Dover.

Click here to read more.

Birmingham Airport 'unlimited' liquids hack that could save you hundreds of pounds

A 'unlimited' liquids rule at Birmingham Airport could save travellers hundreds of pounds - and it is already in force. The airport announced this week that holiday-makers can transit through security with an "unlimited" amount of individual liquids at 100ml.

This is a major change for customers, who until June 1 had to fit their liquids in one clear plastic bag. Anything exceeding that was not allowed through, meaning passengers had to limit what was carried, and buy extra liquids needed such as pricey sun cream and face washes at the other end.

Click here to find out how you could save hundreds of pounds.

BHX 'unable to predict queue times'

A spokesperson for BHX told a passenger this morning that airport chiefs are "unable to predict queue times".

"However, please get to the airport in line with your airline check-in times which is normally 2-3 hours before your departing flight," added the spokesperson.

Sophie Bennett, replying to the post on social media platform X, said: "You SHOULD be able to predict queue times for goodness sake...what are you playing at?"

@bhxofficial you SHOULD be able to predict queue times for goodness sake. You know how many pax are booked. It’s not a guess is it. What are you playing at?

— Sophie Bennett UK (@SophieBennettUK) June 6, 2024

BREAKING: BHX says morning was busy 'as usual' with queues 'long and skinny'

A Birmingham Airport spokesperson said: “We had a usual busy morning, with customers queuing in unfamiliar areas. The queue was long and skinny in parts however it moved quickly through the terminal.

"Although our new security hall is operational, we still have on-going building works on-site and are awaiting regulatory approval that will allow liquids of up to two litres to be taken through in cabin baggage. These building works will continue for the foreseeable future as we redevelop the airport, which is part of our planned, and previously announced, £300m investment.”

'Longest queue I've ever seen'

Passenger Dan said travelling from BHX was a "shambles".

He added: "It has the longest queue for security that I’ve ever seen in my 49 years. Check-in desks open two hours before, despite tickets recommending three hours. If you’re booking holiday now - avoid it like the plague."

Travelling from Birmingham Airport is an absolute shambles. It has the longest queue for security that I’ve ever seen in my 49 years. And check in desks open 2 hours before, despite tickets recommending 3 hours. If you’re booking holiday now avoid it like the plague @bhx_official

— Dan (@SpursManDan) June 6, 2024

BHX issues advice

BHX has issued advice to passengers flying from the airport.

Tips includes 'making sure' to arrive when check-in desks open and, for those who have checked-in online, to arrive in line with what their airline has advised.

Advice if you're travelling from Birmingham Airport pic.twitter.com/XL7eXJvDzg

— Birmingham Airport (@bhx_official) June 6, 2024

Airlines warn passengers to arrive at airport with '100 per cent' phone charge

A warning has been issued around airport charging ports - with passengers told to consider arriving at transport hubs with '100 per cent' charge. Jet2, Ryanair, Easyjet and TUI holidaymakers should take heed of the warnings from cyberexperts.

The safety concerns surrounding airport phone charging have sparked debate and raised eyebrows among tech-savvy passenger.s Emily Stallings, co-founder of tech retailer Casely, provided her expertise on navigating the complexities of airport phone charging.

Click here to read more.

'Queue moving fast'

A passenger who arrived at the airport at 8.30am said the queue is now "moving fast" after long waiting times to get through security earlier this morning.

He added: "Queue may seem long, however people are moving fast."

BHX passengers fume over morning 'carnage' as queue snakes outside front door

A huge queue snaked outside Birmingham Airport's front door this morning leaving holidaymakers furious. Anxious passengers queued in the early morning sun outside departure check-in areas.

The long queue to reach, and eventually get through security, was slammed as "disgraceful" by one holidaymaker online. Another described this morning's scenes as "carnage".

Click here to read the full story.

Image shows huge security queue

Our reporter snapped this image below of today's queue outside Birmingham Airport.

The picture was taken at around 5.45am. She managed to get through security and into the departure lounges in one hour and 17 minutes.

Jet2 warns passengers flying out of UK in July 'you could miss your flight'

An airport has issued a warning to millions of passengers flying next month as Jet2 reveals major "disruption" could see you miss your flight. Jet2 has issued the warning ahead of the big summer getaway in July, with Brits flocking to Europe.

Manchester Airport is warning passengers flying with the budget airline, which is rivalled by the likes of Easyjet, TUI, Ryanair and more. Manchester Airport is urging travellers to plan ahead due to resurfacing works taking place on the M56, advising passengers should arrive earlier than usual.

Click here to read the full story.

Airport statement on new security hall

Providing an update on the security hall, a Birmingham Airport spokesperson said yesterday: "Birmingham Airport is one of the first UK airports to meet the June 1 Government deadline for the implementation of new security screening standards for passenger and cabin baggage. However, certain liquid restrictions will remain in place.

"In due course this new equipment will allow liquids of up to two litres to be taken through in cabin baggage, however some restrictions temporarily remain in place. Until further notice, passengers are advised that they can only carry liquids up to 100ml, albeit it can stay in hand luggage and no longer needs to be in a plastic bag, when departing from Birmingham Airport.

"The Airport has invested £60m in its new larger security area. This area is purpose built with simpler, streamlined equipment and will futureproof Birmingham Airport from its current 12 million passengers per year in 2024, to accommodate 18m passengers per annum by 2033."

BHX liquid rules laid out as airport braces for final change

Birmingham Airport has confirmed its hand luggage liquid rules as it braces for one final, and major, security change. The airport's "state-of-the-art" security hall upgrade is now complete, with new search areas and check-points in operation for travellers.

A key change already in operation is that hand luggage liquids no longer need to be in plastic bags and can stay in hand luggage. The same goes for electrical items like laptops, which previously had to be removed.

Click here for the full story on the airport's final security change.

'Not bad at all', says passenger

The queue time to get through security has come down, according to one passenger at the airport.

John O'Brien told us at 7.55am this morning: "Here now and it’s not bad at all. 40 minutes to queue from outside to get to security. Queue hasn’t stopped moving. Staff very helpful."

Here now and it’s not bad at all, 40 minutes to queue from outside to get to security. Queue hasn’t stopped moving. Staff very helpful

— John O'Brien (@JohnOB1977) June 6, 2024