Birmingham airport prepares for busiest summer on record

Birmingham Airport is preparing for its busiest summer on record with over 2.1 million passengers expected to travel through the site over the next six weeks.

The busiest route for this season sees Palma top with over 118,000 customers travelling to the summer destination.

Dublin is a very close second, with over 100,000 jetting off to the Irish city which also provides great onward connections to the US.

Dubai remains a strong favourite for Midlanders with over 85,000 passengers booked to travel.  Other top destinations of choice include Antalya, Dalaman, Amsterdam, Alicante and Tenerife.

Passengers are reminded that liquid rules for hand luggage are still in place following the reimposition from the Government. Whilst plastic bags for liquids are no longer required, all liquid containers need to be under 100ml.

Each airline has its own check in time and customers are advised to follow this guidance. This detail can be found on the booking information.

Once at the airport, some passengers may be processed through the temporary external queuing facility that was introduced following the reintroduction of the liquid rules.

This temporary facility will see customer service colleagues help customers ensure hand baggage is compliant for security, thus reducing the risk of unnecessary queues at security.

Al Titterington, terminal operations director of Birmingham Airport, said: “We are preparing for our busiest ever summer and we have worked hard to ensure plans are in place to enable a smooth journey through the airport.

“We have built temporary facilities to aid passengers get ready for security and also have additional customer service ambassadors on hand to help.  In order to help, passengers should familiarise themselves with liquid rules and advice from airlines on when to arrive for check in.

“This summer will see passenger numbers return to pre-Covid levels, and potentially exceed them, so we have put in robust plans, including extra contingency plans for issues that may occur out of our control to assist everyone on their journey through the Airport.”

Usually, the majority of customers pass through security in under ten minutes and at the peak time queues up to 45 minutes are typical.

Advice to customers travelling out of Birmingham Airport:

• Only liquids, pastes and gels in containers up to 100ml can be carried in hand luggage – anything larger needs to be in checked in luggage.
• No liquids above this size.
• Anything above the 100ml will be removed and destroyed.
• There is no limit on the amount of under 100mls containers that can be carried.
• Containers that can carry more than a 100ml, such as insulated bottles, are permitted but need to be completely empty.
• Do not put your liquids, pastes and gels into plastic bags (please leave them loose in hand luggage).
• Do not take them out of your hand luggage when you're in the security search area.
• Leave all electricals in hand luggage during the security search.
• When going through security please ensure all items are out of pockets including phones, keys, coins and tissues etc. Watches can be left on.

Customers can prepare for travel by;

• Dropping bags off the day before for Jet2 and TUI. On the day you travel make your way to join the security queue on the ground floor. 
• Make sure you arrive when your check-in opens, this can be found on your booking information. 
• If you have checked in online, and have no hold baggage, please arrive at the time advised by your airline and make your way to join the security queue on the ground floor. 
• Know your Check-In Zone inside the terminal: 
• Zone A for Jet2,
• Zone D for Emirates,
• Zones B & C for all other airlines
• Our new security area construction works are still on-going. This means the queuing area for security is mainly downstairs. 
• Please note that all passengers arriving by train are required to head to the ground floor to join the queue for security.