Latest news with #AlTitterington
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Birmingham Airport changes ahead of 'busiest Easter on record' as 650,000 passengers expected
Birmingham Airport has told passengers jetting off on their Easter holidays to expect a number of changes inside the terminal. The Solihull-based airport is bracing for its "busiest Easter on record" with an expected 15 per cent increase in customers year-on-year and more than 650,000 passengers expected through the doors for the Easter break. This Easter, Dubai, Antalya, Alicante and Palma de Mallorca are the most popular beach breaks and Amsterdam, Istanbul and Paris are the most sought-after city breaks from Birmingham. READ MORE: Birmingham Airport changes in 'busiest year ever' - from security and parking to new routes Get breaking news on BirminghamLive WhatsApp As the terminal braces for record numbers, BHX bosses have flagged a number of changes that passengers will see in the terminal following "a series of significant investments to enhance customer service". Birmingham Airport has also issued guidance for people travelling through security to help ensure a smooth experience as new changes are rolled out. A key change, introduced in March, is the opening of two additional security screening lanes at the airport. Described as "two state-of-the-art" lanes, the new lanes will have a capacity to successfully screen up to 3,600 passengers and their luggage per hour in peak times. However this will only work at its best if people stick to packing the correct liquids in their hand luggage and avoid non-compliant items. At the start of March, BHX appointed a new assisted travel partnership to in a bid to "focus on passenger experience enhancements." From April 1, Wilson James was announced as the new operators of the assisted travel system in the terminal. Birmingham Airport also revealed plans to invest £10 million into the development of an additional outbound baggage carousel in the North Terminal, as well as a reconfiguration and expansion of the south immigration area. The airport said this will bring in "potential for faster processing times". Work on a 'full reconfiguration' of the south arrivals area is already under way, but no fixed date has been confirmed for when passengers will see this change come into effect. Al Titterington, Terminal Operations Director of Birmingham Airport said: 'We are preparing for our busiest Easter holiday getaway on record with many passengers jetting off to enjoy the spring holidays. 'Since last Easter we have invested in our security area to ensure ease and simplicity for our customers travelling through the airport. "Our security hall that opened in June last year, was further complemented with a further two screening machines, enabling large electricals to stay in hand luggage, but more importantly allows liquids in containers under 100ml to remain in bags too. 'Our colleagues will be on hand in the terminal to assist customers on their way through the airport. However, we encourage all to look at our website for the latest guidance on travel.'
Yahoo
03-03-2025
- Yahoo
Screening lanes unveiled to curb airport queues
An airport that was plagued with "unacceptable queuing" last summer has introduced passenger screening lanes to curb the problem. Birmingham Airport has invested £5m to help ensure long lines do not "impact customers' summer again". The lanes are responsible for screening cabin luggage and have the capacity to screen up to 3,600 passengers per hour during peak times. They have been installed after months of delays last year that at times left passengers out of pocket when they missed flights and had to book new ones. In response Al Titterington, terminal operations director, said the airport had focused on how it ensures customers can now be supported to join their flight as quickly as possible. "Last summer, some passengers experienced unacceptable lengths of queuing," said Mr Titterington. "Since last summer, we have been relentless in our focus to make sure unacceptable queuing does not return this year." The problems in 2024, caused during a £60m upgrade to introduce new security desks and hi-tech scanners, went on for months, with some passengers telling the BBC they had been left trapped after being accused of security breaches. One passenger, Iain Vowles Smith from Walsall, missed his flight to Rome, where he was due to go on holiday as part of celebrations after his retirement from the NHS. Mr Vowles Smith described the situation at the time as "chaotic". It took some passengers 90 minutes to get through security last year due to building works with some passengers nearly missing their flights. The airport's upgrade now includes Next Generation Security Checkpoints that are intended to enable passengers to carry up to two litres of liquid onboard, as UK-wide airport security restrictions become more relaxed. The new lanes are located in Zone A at the airport. Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. Extra night flights at Birmingham Airport approved More staff recruited in bid to tackle long airport queues Security staff needed at airport plagued by delays Man missed retirement holiday due to airport delay Birmingham Airport
BBC News
03-03-2025
- BBC News
Birmingham Airport unveils new screening lanes to curb queues
An airport that was plagued with "unacceptable queuing" last summer has introduced passenger screening lanes to curb the Airport has invested £5m to help ensure long lines do not "impact customers' summer again".The lanes are responsible for screening cabin luggage and have the capacity to screen up to 3,600 passengers per hour during peak have been installed after months of delays last year that at times left passengers out of pocket when they missed flights and had to book new ones. In response Al Titterington, terminal operations director, said the airport had focused on how it ensures customers can now be supported to join their flight as quickly as possible. "Last summer, some passengers experienced unacceptable lengths of queuing," said Mr Titterington."Since last summer, we have been relentless in our focus to make sure unacceptable queuing does not return this year." The problems in 2024, caused during a £60m upgrade to introduce new security desks and hi-tech scanners, went on for months, with some passengers telling the BBC they had been left trapped after being accused of security breaches. 'Chaotic situation' One passenger, Iain Vowles Smith from Walsall, missed his flight to Rome, where he was due to go on holiday as part of celebrations after his retirement from the Vowles Smith described the situation at the time as "chaotic".It took some passengers 90 minutes to get through security last year due to building works with some passengers nearly missing their airport's upgrade now includes Next Generation Security Checkpoints that are intended to enable passengers to carry up to two litres of liquid onboard, as UK-wide airport security restrictions become more relaxed. The new lanes are located in Zone A at the airport. Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
