Birmingham Airport is employing additional staff in an attempt to improve the passenger journey through security.
There have been various reports in recent days of large queues at the airport’s security, as a result of confusion over rules on liquids in hand luggage.
Earlier this month the Department for Transport temporarily reintroduced restrictions limiting air passengers to carrying liquids measuring no more than 100ml in their hand luggage.
The gradual rollout of next generation 3D scanners had led to several UK airports easing restrictions, meaning customers could carry containers holding up to two litres in liquids.
But the DfT reintroduced the 100ml limit nationwide from Sunday 9 June to “enable further improvements to be made to the new checkpoint systems”.
Birmingham had completed the installation and switching on of its new scanning equipment by May this year, but the relaxed two litre rule had in fact never been introduced at the airport, as it had been awaiting regulatory approval to remove the 100ml restriction.
Nevertheless the airport said it has been removing around 1.5 tonnes of liquids, pastes and gels every day since 9 June to ensure customers comply with government regulations.
As a result it has opened an enlarged temporary structure housing multiple ‘liquid check stations’, which is being staffed by third party “customer service specialists” tasked with ensuring customers comply with the 100ml rules.
The airport stressed that the new scanning equipment meant electrical devices can now remain in hand luggage when passing through security. There is also now no limit to the number of containers up to 100ml which can be carried in hand luggage, and these containers no longer need to be placed with a clear plastic bag.
“These new measures are designed to give passengers a smoother and easier experience though security,” said Nick Barton, CEO of Birmingham Airport.
“Our enlarged teams will be on hand to explain the new liquid rules, we all have to comply with, and help passengers prepare for security. The more we can do together to reduce the number of bags that don’t comply with these rules, the more we can reduce queues at security screening.
“Our additional teams aim to help customers travel through the airport with the minimum of inconvenience arising from these restrictions this summer.
“As always, our advice is to only turn up when your airline has advised and remember that only containers of 100ml, or less, of liquids, pastes and gels can be carried in cabin luggage.”
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