Huge queues form outside Birmingham Airport as furious passengers slam scenes of 'carnage'

Huge queues have formed outside Birmingham Airport this morning as anxious passengers slammed the 'disgraceful' scenes of 'carnage'.

A huge queue to get through security snaked outside the airport's front doors, leaving anxious holidaymakers furious as they waited in the early morning sun outside the departure check-in area.

Described by one holidaymaker as 'disgraceful' and as 'carnage' by another, it is reportedly taking more than an hour for passengers to make their way through security checks.

It comes after weeks of misery and delays at the airport where passengers have reported missing flights.

Kevin Brown, who is travelling from the airport today, shared a picture of the queues online with the caption: 'Arrive at 5.30am for a 7.45am departure and met with this. Shameful.'

Holidaymaker Alison Woolhouse said she was told to join the huge queue outside the airport after checking her bags in. She described the scenes as 'carnage'.

The queue time to get through security came down by around 8am, according to one passenger at the airport. 

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

The airport finished its £60million 'state-of-the-art' security hall upgrade in May after months of construction work. 

It will eventually allow passengers to carry liquids of up to two litres in cabin baggage but despite the work being completed, the airport said that 'until further notice' passengers would only be able to carry liquids of up to 100ml as 'partial regulatory restrictions' were in place.

Providing an update on the new 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.'