Major UK airport announces £5million update to avoid summer of chaos after thousands left queueing last year
BIRMINGHAM Airport has opened two extra security lanes ahead of its busiest year on record.
Two new security lanes have opened in the screening hall at Birmingham Airport to avoid the ‘unacceptable queuing’ seen last summer.
Last June, crowds of holidaymakers snaked around the entrance to the Solihull-based airport just weeks after a U-turn on liquid rules.
Birmingham Airport managed to successfully install new CT scanners, which allow passengers to carry liquid items in their hand luggage and avoid the need to remove electricals, before the Government’s June 2024 deadline.
The new 3D scanners were meant to let holidaymakers carry liquids of up to two litres in their hand luggage.
But following a regulatory U-turn by the UK Government, the airport told passengers to only bring liquids of up to 100ml through airport security.
Despite the warnings by airport bosses, thousands of holidaymakers were seen queuing outside the screening hall, with the experience likened to Alton Towers.
Now, ahead of the airport’s busiest year on record, two additional security screening lanes have opened as part of a £5million investment.
Across its entire screening hall, Birmingham Airport will be able to process up to 3,600 passengers per hour during peak times.
Although this figure is dependent on holidaymakers knowing the correct hand luggage rules.
Just like last summer, holidaymakers can only bring liquids of up to 100ml through airport security.
While liquids, pastes and electrical items can be left in bags, large coats and belts will need to be removed and placed in trays.
Birmingham Airport’s terminal operations director, Al Titterington, said: “Last summer, some passengers experienced unacceptable lengths of queuing.
“So we have focused on improving the efficiencies of our processes and how we support our customers on their journey, as quickly as possible.
“Since last summer, we have been relentless in our focus to make sure unacceptable queuing does not return this year.
“Over the course of several weeks, we will be making a string of announcements and unveiling new projects and partnerships that will enhance the passenger experience during what will be our airport’s busiest year.”
Birmingham Airport is currently undergoing a huge £300million expansion, with improvements being made to its departures lounge.
Alongside the multi-million expansion, the airport hopes to introduce new long-haul flights to destinations like New York, Toronto, Mumbai and Hong Kong.
The huge renovation project is running parallel to Birmingham Airport’s goal to be a net zero carbon airport by 2033.
Four new flight routes from Birmingham Airport
A wave of new flight routes are on the cards for Birmingham Airport, with foreign holidays in the West Midlands about to get a whole lot easier…
- Budget airline Wizz Air is launching a new route from Birmingham Airport to Rome
- Airline easyJet is launching a new winter sun service to Lanzarote from Birmingham
- Holidaymakers will also soon be able to fly directly from Birmingham to Gran Canaria when flights launch on May 2
- Direct flights to Malta will start operating on June 3, with services departing Birmingham International Airport every Tuesday.
Birmingham Airport is set to get a new train station that will make it quicker to get to from London than Heathrow Airport.
Thousands more flights could soon launch at Birmingham Airport – here’s why.