Birmingham Airport security update after 'unforeseen factors' sparked huge queues

A queue outside Birmingham Airport on Friday morning, September 13 - bosses say things are now back to normal
-Credit: (Image: James Bailey)


Birmingham Airport has said security queues are back to normal after issuing an apology yesterday morning. Early flyers were confronted by long queues on Friday, September 13, due to what it called “unforeseen factors”.

Holidaymakers told BirminghamLive it had taken them between one and two hours to clear security and reach the airport’s departure lounge. BHX said technical issues were to blame after people were pictured lining up outside.

On Saturday, September 14, a new statement given to BirminghamLive sought to reassure passengers. A spokesperson said: “Security is flowing quickly and passengers are on their way efficiently and quickly this morning.”

RECAP: Birmingham Airport queue outside live as passengers say security line back to 'usual chaos

Yesterday, James Bailey claimed BHX was "back to its usual chaos”. It came after a turbulent spring and early summer as a "next generation" security facility was completed.

Holidaymaker Claire Morrison, who also queued outside BHX on Friday, told how she had only just made her flight despite arriving early. “There were horrendous queues for security starting outside and looping all the way through the inside of the airport,” she explained.

Birmingham Airport said Friday's queues were down to 'unforeseen factors'
Birmingham Airport said Friday's queues were down to 'unforeseen factors' -Credit:Darren Quinton/Birmingham Live

Birmingham Airport said yesterday’s delays were "due to a combination of unforeseen factors". Bosses blamed technical issues and a cancelled flight for contributing to the long queues.

A spokesperson said: “Due to a combination of unforeseen factors, including technical issues and a cancelled flight, some passengers were queued outside the terminal for a short period this morning. The vast majority of our passengers have not waited for more than 10 minutes over the summer and we're sorry this was not the experience for some this morning.

“The terminal is now clear and security is flowing efficiently. [This is] not [a] return to chaos some are reporting. Passengers should arrive at the airport allowing time advised by airlines and not earlier."

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