TUI ISSUES 'THREE HOUR' WARNING TO ANYONE FLYING FROM MAJOR UK AIRPORT

For anyone planning a summer holiday this year, you might want to reconsider which airport you’re flying from.

TUI has issued a warning to travellers jetting out from Birmingham airport, advising them to arrive at the airport three hours early to avoid disappointment.

And, if you’re catching a long-haul flight, the advice is to arrive four hours before take off.

The warning by the travel company comes amid works going on at Birmingham Airport until June.

The security hall is undergoing a £60,000,000 transformation to introduce brand new scanners which will change hand luggage rules for all passengers. 

Once the update has been completed, you’ll be able to pass through security and leave your liquids and electronics in your carry-on bags.

The British government had set a deadline of June 1 for all airports to complete the upgrades, ahead of the 100ml rule being scrapped this summer. 

‘We’d like to remind you to arrive at the airport with sufficient time before your flight,’ TUI said in a statement.

‘At the moment, we’re recommending giving yourself three hours for flights to Europe and Africa, and four hours for long-haul flights. 

‘That way, you’ll have plenty of time to check in your luggage and make your way through the security queues.’

‘Arriving any earlier than this won’t mean you can check in or pass through security early.’

TUI also reminded passengers of their bag drop off system.

‘On that note, don’t forget that if your flight takes off before noon, you can drop your bags between 2pm and 9pm using our day-before bag drop, making your departure day easier. You can do this for all flights except those to the USA.’ 

Why does the 100ml liquid rule exist?

The liquid rules were introduced in 2006 due to a terror threat.

Terrorists had been poised to smuggle liquid explosives through security by disguising them as soft drinks.

They planned to carry the explosives aboard planes travelling from the United Kingdom to the United States and Canada.

As a result of the incident, unprecedented security measures were initially implemented at airports.

New rules introduced on August 10 2006 resulted in hundreds of cancelled flights, long delays and queues at UK airports.

What are the new rules for liquids when flying?

The days of chugging a bottle of water, desperately squinting at the labels of your toiletries and debating over whether lip balm is a liquid (generally it’s not) should be behind us very soon. 

Up until now, unless your liquid items are bang on or below 100ml and crammed inside a small, clear plastic bag, you would have to bid farewell to them before going through security. 

But Birmingham Airport, which handled 11,000,000 passengers last year, is set to become one of the first major British airports to scrap the 100ml rule from June 1 2024 – meanwhile other airports have delayed the launch, London Gatwick has set a new deadline of March 2025, while Manchester, East Midlands and Stanstead have also said their new scanners won’t be introduced until next year.

Birmingham airport bosses have been installing scanners that use X-ray technology to create a 3D scan of the contents of a passenger’s bag.

Not only will passengers be able to bring in liquids of more than 100ml, but they’ll no longer have to remove large electronic devices such as laptops from their bags, as per current restrictions.

Nick Barton, CEO of Birmingham Airport, previously told Metro.co.uk: ‘Birmingham Airport has invested £60 million in a new security hall and scanning equipment.

‘From June 1, our customers will see the benefits of the new security systems as we roll them out, which will result in a quicker and easier pre-flight security screening process for our customers.

‘In the meantime, up until the 1st June date, our existing security restrictions remain in place.

‘It is timely to remind all customers that they still need to remove electricals during the search process and only carry liquids, pastes and gels, up to 100ml, in 20 x 20cm in resealable bags in their hand luggage.’

Do you have a story to share?

Get in touch by emailing [email protected].

For even more unmissable travel news, features and inspiration in your inbox each week, sign up to Metro's The Getaway newsletter

2024-04-25T12:07:40Z dg43tfdfdgfd