Birmingham Airport Bank Holiday passengers 'faint amid chaotic security queues'

Birmingham Airport passengers told how people 'fainted as they queued in chaotic' scenes' this Bank Holiday. One said the 'security queue was through the terminal building and up the street' today, Monday, May 6.

Some blasted the organisation of the airport with "thousands" queuing for lifts and "only three scanners working", which are used to check boarding passes before going through to security. Another passenger said it took two-hours to clear security, but claimed there was not a single sign upstairs to say that the new scanners were operational.

The airport said the busy bank holiday weekend was forecast and publicised with customers "queuing in areas that are unfamiliar." It also apologised for its ongoing building works.

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Passenger Paul Beadle told BirminghamLive: "It’s pretty bad here. Elderly people complaining of waiting two-hours in the queue, people in wheelchairs not moving, and we’ve seen a couple of people faint. Lots of stressed families with kids, and people who are in the middle of the queue, but their flight is due in a few minutes.

"It’s chaos, with not many staff, no signage and people just confused. There are only four lifts to the security level, and when you get there only three gates are working - and that’s before you get to the proper security where they scan your bags."

He also posted on X: "Still chaos @bhx_official - trying to transit 1000s of people through a handful of lifts. Terrible organisation. And when you get to the security level, there are only three gates working - even some of green ones are roped off. And that’s before you get to the security scanners."

Another passenger wrote on X: "Blimey @bhx_official what a mess! Security queue is through the terminal building and up the street! Bank holiday Monday. At least the weather is nice!" A different passenger said: "@TUIUK complete chaos at Birmingham Airport. We had a Lounge booked for 1pm and we still haven’t even cleared security. We weren’t allowed to check in until 3 hours before flight and it’s been 1 hour already to get this far."

Another passenger said: "2 hours to clear security today @bhx_official. I expect delays while you update things, but not a single sign upstairs to say that the new scanners were operational and what was now allowed to stay in bags. Also, why are three scanners lying idle when it’s this chaotic?" A final passenger added: "Severe delays at Birmingham airport security allow at least 1.5 hours to get through after u have checked in @birminghamairport #birminghamairport #airport #jet2 #AirportLook."

A Birmingham Airport spokeswoman told BirminghamLive: “Birmingham Airport is still in its transitioning phase from its existing security to its new security area. This is confusing as customers will see security search lanes unmanned as we operate across the two separate areas.

“This busy bank holiday weekend, as forecasted and publicised, is still busy with customers queuing in areas that are unfamiliar. Our building works are ongoing and for this we apologise.”

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