Queues, aircraft delays, live departures, Covid testing, express lane security permits, parking, hotels, and official advise are all up to date.

In recent weeks, Birmingham Airport has been beset by complaints about lengthy lines. As more individuals take advantage of the Covid travel restrictions being lifted, the airport’s staffing shortage has made it difficult to employ personnel quickly enough to cope with an increase in passenger numbers.

Several tourists have turned to social media to express their dissatisfaction, claiming “chaos” at BHX at moments, with massive security queues snaking out the terminal doors. Hundreds of people were waiting in lines that stretched the length of the building, according to photos posted by travellers.

Long queues have caused flight delays, leading passenger inquiries about when to check in, how to get fast lane passes, and what to do if a flight is missed. There have also been tales of passengers being kept on the runway while waiting for ground workers to release them.

We’ll keep this story updated with the latest information on lines and delays, live departures, Covid testing, express passes, parking, accommodation, and official traveller advise.

Current wait times and queue

According to travellers, queues were moving gradually through Birmingham Airport early this morning, Wednesday, May 11. According to one visitor, they got through security in under 40 minutes.

The situation has improved significantly since yesterday (May 10) when photographs showed “clogged” check-in halls in the early hours of the morning and some of the first passengers of the day reported long security lines at BHX; however, by around 10 a.m., the situation appeared to have significantly improved.
On Monday, May 9, travellers were forced to line outside the airport to pass through security during the hectic morning rush hour. Holidaymakers reported waiting up to two hours to get through the security checkpoint, with accusations that the queue was “one kilometre” long and stretched all the way to the car park.
By the next day, the lines had thinned dramatically, and images taken just after 11 a.m. showed no lines outside the airport. The busiest days to travel, according to a volunteer at BHX, are Monday and Friday mornings, which are “the worst.” “It’s normally busiest before 9 a.m. and quietens down after that,” he added.

“As usual, we encourage customers to arrive at the airport exactly when your airline recommends – and to assist us in keeping lineups moving by removing any liquids, gels, pastes, and electrical goods from your baggage before our security x-ray scanners,” a BHX representative stated on May 10.

Arrivals and departures at Birmingham Airport

In recent weeks, delays at Birmingham Airport have impacted both outgoing planes and those arriving at the hub. Due to ground workers being unavailable at the time of their arrival, some passengers have complained about having to wait to exit flights on the runway.

Every day, tens of thousands of travellers pass through the bustling terminal, which is served by airlines such as easyJet, Ryanair, Jet2, TUI, British Airways, and Emirates. Flybe, the reborn carrier, also made its highly-anticipated comeback in April, with a new HQ in Birmingham and the promise of more new services to follow.

Covid testing for leaving passengers is done quickly.

While the elimination of all Covid travel limitations during this country has created it a lot of less complicated for tourists to travel overseas, travellers ought to check the laws and restrictions at their destination before creating a reservation. Some nations still need travellers to require a Covid-19 take a look at before coming into and will impose native limitations.

NHS exams can not be used for pre-departure testing; instead, a non-public take a look at should be scheduled . the kind of take a look at and therefore the time it takes to finish it vary by location.

At Birmingham flying field, Express Test presently has 2 locations: a walk-in on the primary floor close to Burger King and departures, and a drive-through in lot seven close to the vacation hostel and Travelodge hotels.

The walk-in location offers each PCR and matter Lateral Flow acceptable Fly testing, however the drive-through location solely offers PCR acceptable Fly tests. All exams should be scheduled earlier than time.

Why are there lines and when will things improve?

Passengers are facing long lines at Birmingham Airport due to personnel shortages and an increase in passenger numbers as the aviation industry approaches peak travel season.

Airport chief executive Nick Barton told BBC Radio WM in early May that the lines might last for many weeks. “It’s still the legacy of the sector being switched back on by the Government’s repeal of the regulations in mid-February,” he said, blaming a 12-week “lag” between hiring new personnel and getting them operational.

Due to travel limitations implemented during the Covid-19 outbreak, 43% of Birmingham Airport’s employees were laid off. The issue was further made more difficult, according to BHX, when the government abruptly lifted Covid-19 travel restrictions in mid-February without notice.

In November, Birmingham Airport launched a recruiting drive with the goal of expanding the number of important positions, such as security officers. The airport is now in the process of training its newest security employees. The airport has not specified a specific start date for workers, but has stated that they would be on duty “soon” to assist with security searches.

Express lane security

Passengers United Nations agency wish to bypass the protection lines at Birmingham aerodrome could typically purchase associate specific lane price ticket to travel through the stop quicker. The tickets price £4 per person, with youngsters underneath the age of 5 free. However, the aerodrome aforementioned last week that it’s stopped acceptive new reservations for its security means service, citing that it had been “completely signed for the predictable future.” All current reservations are going to be honored, per the aerodrome. “We have stopped taking new bookings for our specific lane security queue lane since this service is absolutely signed for the predictable future – all current bookings are going to be honored,” the aerodrome aforementioned on Twitter. we have a tendency to square measure continued to look at bookings and should take into account reopening the chance to buy this service once client numbers have stable.” “We’ve got concerning double the number of bookings the fast-track facility will accommodate,” a voice aforementioned in a very statement. As a result, we’ve set to place a hold on new reservations for the present. Our high objective is to confirm that each departure client arrives on time.”

Passenger locator forms

The epidemic has had a significant impact on tourism in recent years, and locations are increasingly competing for tourists. Despite the fact that many entrance restrictions have been relaxed or even eliminated, several nations still require travellers to fill out passenger locator forms.

Some governments continue to utilise the certificates to gather information about arriving travellers ahead to international travel. They usually ask for contact information, as well as information on the person’s trip plans and accommodations.
You do not need to fill out a UK passenger locator form before leaving or arriving in the nation; however, other countries may have laws concerning what you must do before leaving to go to England or before arriving overseas. Before heading to the airport, passengers should consult travel advice.

How to get through the airport in the shortest amount of time

In order to keep lineups moving, Birmingham Airport has frequently advised travellers to “help us assist you” by preparing as much as possible for checks. To help passengers get through security checks as fast as possible, officials have provided the following instructions:

1-Prepare your travel documentation for scrutiny.
2-Follow your airline’s cabin luggage allowance requirements.
3-Prepare a clear resealable plastic bag with all liquid, gel, and cream toiletries and cosmetics (in 4-containers of 100ml or less each) for security officers to x-ray individually.
4-If at all feasible, pack all food and powders in your hold luggage. Although these goods are allowed in carry-on bags, they can impede x-ray pictures or be mistaken for suspicious objects, so storing them in the hold will help eliminate the need for further inspections.
5-Jackets and coats should be removed since they will be inspected individually by the x-ray scanner.
Laptop computers, tablets (iPads, for example), Kindles/e-readers, and other big electronic gadgets should be removed from your cabin luggage and examined individually.
6-If you’re asked to remove your shoes and belt, be ready.
7-If you have a metal limb or implant, inform the on-duty security officer. If at all feasible, bring a confirmation note from your doctor.

Flights missed

Customers at Birmingham Airport have been told that customer service representatives would be on hand during periods of long lines to assist passengers while planes are on final call. However, several travellers have reported missing their planes owing to delays.

Around 30 passengers are said to have missed Ryanair flights to Dublin and Tenerife on Sunday, May 1. Two sisters hurried to catch their flight but “found the gate had locked and the plane was flying away without them” after passing through security.
So, what happens if you miss your BHX flight? Although it may appear unjust that passengers should lose money due to security delays, airlines are not required to provide a complete refund.

Parking

Parking at any large airport can be expensive, and it’s not unusual to see people on social media voicing their dissatisfaction with parking costs. There are seven car parks available to travellers at Birmingham Airport, providing a variety of alternatives for those who want to drive to the hub, with rates varied greatly.

By reserving ahead of time, passengers may save money on airport parking. Some adjacent residents rent out their driveways to airport visitors for a fraction of the price, so it’s worth looking into alternative choices before making a reservation.

Hotels

Are you flying out of Birmingham Airport early? There are many of hotels nearby where you can get a good night’s sleep before your flight.

The Hilton Garden Inn is about 350 yards away and has a Booking.com rating of 8.8. The Genting Hotel at Resorts World, which is 0.6 miles distant, likewise has an 8.8 rating.

There’s also the Ibis, which is 0.3 miles from the airport and has an 8.0 Booking.com rating, as well as the Moxy at the NEC, the Novotel, and the Arden Hotel.

Airport and departure lounge dining options

Getting a drink and a bite to eat at the airport before a flight has become somewhat of a British ritual. Birmingham Airport’s departures lounge is well-equipped to satisfy any passenger’s appetite, with a variety of restaurants vying for visitors’ attention.

From a quick lunch to a slap-up sit-down supper, there are places for every budget. Check out our list of the top places to dine at BHX, according to travellers.

Passengers may also reserve a lounge for a peaceful VIP airport experience in advance.