Airport in half-term chaos alert

Hundreds of half-term holidaymakers are facing delays at Birmingham International Airport because of families forgetting about the strict security on hand luggage, airport officials warned today.

It is the first big test for Birmingham Airport since the tough new controls on hand luggage were brought in.

Passengers are banned from bringing liquids through passport control, and also has stringent checks on other items in their possession.

But airport bosses say the holiday rush has seen an increase in the number of people trying to bring restricted goods through the airport - causing delays on a number of airlines and even forcing some people to miss their flights.

A Birmingham International Airport spokesman said passengers’ awareness of the restrictions appeared to have dwindled.

She said: “We have had some delays with the increase in passengers during half-term but people are still bringing through liquids like perfume bottles.”

Office staff have been drafted in to remind passengers of the security checks when they arrive at the terminal.

“It’s the first big test since the measures were introduced but also people’s awareness is not as it was,” the BIA spokeswoman added. “People are not thinking about what they are packing before they fly.”