Security FAQs

Our Planning your airport trip page will provide you with lots of useful information regarding any Airport trip, giving handy tips for before you travel, when you are at the Airport and after you have travelled.

Food and powders should be packed into your hold luggage where possible, although these items are permitted in your hand luggage. You are more likely to avoid further security checks if you do not have any such items. Please see advisory information from the Department for Transport.

Our Before you travel page gives you lots of useful advice for before you travel from the Airport.

Food and powders should be packed into your hold luggage where possible, although these items are permitted in your hand luggage. You are more likely to avoid further security checks if you do not have any such items. Please see advisory information from the Department for Transport.

When you arrive at the security check point, your boarding card will be scanned.

At the x-ray point, you will need to remove boots, jackets, coats and large belts and place them into an inspection tray along with any hand baggage.  Please keep any large electrical items, including iPads, Kindles/e-readers, laptops and tablets in your hand luggage

Liquids (gels, pastes, creams, aerosols, liquid solid mix) must be in containers of 100 ml or less,

Food and powders should be packed into your hold luggage where possible, although these items are permitted in your hand luggage. You are more likely to avoid further security checks if you do not have any such items. Please see advisory information from the Department for Transport.

When you pass through the Walk Through Metal Detector, you may be selected for search by the Security Officer. This will involve either a full body pat down by hand and/or a trace detection swab being taken from your person or items carried. It is a condition of carriage that you must submit for a search if requested.

If your baggage is selected for search, then it may need to be completely emptied and the contents swabbed and re-screened by x-ray.

You are permitted to take wet razors through Security in your hand baggage providing they are safety/disposable razors.

Food and powders should be packed into your hold luggage where possible, although these items are permitted in your hand luggage.  You are more likely to avoid further security checks if you do not have any such items.

Please see advisory information from the Department for Transport.

You can find an overview of items permitted in hand luggage at https://www.gov.uk/hand-luggage-restrictions.

Food and powders should be packed into your hold luggage where possible, although these items are permitted in your hand luggage. You are more likely to avoid further security checks if you do not have any such items.Please see advisory information from the Department for Transport.

Please also check with your airline as they may have their own restrictions in place. Contact details of all the airlines that operate at Birmingham Airport can be found in our Airline Directory.

You can find an overview of items permitted in hand luggage at https://www.gov.uk/hand-luggage-restrictions.

Food and powders should be packed into your hold luggage where possible, although these items are permitted in your hand luggage.  You are more likely to avoid further security checks if you do not have any such items.

Please see advisory information from the Department for Transport

Please also check with your airline as they may have their own restrictions in place. Contact details of all the airlines that operate at Birmingham Airport can be found in our Airline Directory.

The following list is indicative of the type of item not permitted in hand luggage. This is an example list and is not exhaustive.

● Toy or replica guns● Catapults● Household cutlery● Knives with blades any longer than 6 cm● Paper knives● Razor blades● Tradesman’s tools● Darts● Scissors with pointed tips and blades longer than 3 cm● Sporting bats● Billiard, snooker or pool cues● Flammable liquids● Gas canister, butane energy cells

Food and powders should be packed into your hold luggage where possible, although these items are permitted in your hand luggage. You are more likely to avoid further security checks if you do not have any such items. Pleas see advisory information from the Department for Transport.

You can find an overview of items permitted in hand luggage at https://www.gov.uk/hand-luggage-restrictions.

Please also check with your airline as they may have their own restrictions in place. Contact details of all the airlines that operate at Birmingham Airport can be found in our Airline Directory.

For Lost and Left Item(s) in Security click here.

For Damaged Item(s) in Security click here.

For any other Lost and Left Item(s) please email - [email protected] or call them on 0330 223 0893. Alternatively you can visit their website for more details at www.luggage-point.co.uk.

LOST/DAMAGED BAGGAGEFor missing, lost or damaged baggage on arrival into Birmingham, please contact:

If you are a TUI passenger please visit www.tui.co.uk.

If you are a Jet2 passenger please visit www.jet2.com.

If more than 5 days has passed since your arrival all passengers should contact their airline directly.For lost luggage FAQs visit our Lost property page.

If you are travelling with someone else's child/minor/under 18, you will need a letter of consent from the child's parent/legal guardian to allow you to take responsibility for them. The letter of consent must name you as the designated responsible adult, the relationship of you to the child (grand-parent/family friend etc), the parents full contact details (address/telephone number) and be signed by the parent. It is also advisable to have a copy of the parent's passport with you.

If your child has a different surname to yours, please carry a copy of their birth certificate with you and a copy of your marriage certificate/legal change of name documentation so that the relationship to your child can be proven.

The Express Security Lane Services booked by you is only valid for the date specified in your Booking Confirmation. Changes or cancellations can only be made to your booking if more than 24 hours before the booked date of travel.

Your booking details can be found in your confirmation email or your online account. Please have the booking reference from your original booking available, as this helps track your order.

Pre-booked tickets are handled by NCP. Please contact them directly for any booking queries you may have.

NCP Customer Helpline Tel: 0345 0507080

NCP email: [email protected].

The Express Lane is a separate security lane, designed to enable passengers to bypass the regular queues.

Please note that the Express Lane entry time required for your booking is only approximate. You can book online on our car park booking site. Children aged 5 years and under can use the lane free of charge, when accompanied by a paying adult.

Pre-booked tickets are handled by NCP.  Please contact them directly for any queries you may have.

NCP Customer Helpline Tel: 0345 0507080

NCP email: [email protected]

Pre-booked tickets are handled by NCP. Please contact them directly for any queries you may have.

You are not able to cancel or amend your Express Lane booking but all vouchers are valid for single use entry at anytime up to 6 months from the date of purchase.

NCP Customer Helpline Tel: 0345 0507080

NCP email: [email protected]

If the ticket was booked on the day please complete and submit the form by clicking here.

No, the booking is non person specific.

You can find an overview of items permitted in hand luggage at https://www.gov.uk/hand-luggage-restrictions.

Please also check with your airline as they may have their own restrictions in place. Contact details of all the airlines that operate at Birmingham Airport can be found in our Airline Directory.

You cannot take over the counter creams / liquids / pastes / gels such as eczema cream / calpol / cough medicine / Lucozade / savlon / sudocrem / nappy rash cream / emollient cream / E45 cream) that are over 100ml in capacity through security if they have not been prescribed for you. You can put these items into checked in baggage. Please see advisory information from the Department for Transport.

Cooling and heat liquid based packs

Cooling gel packs and frozen ice packs required to cool liquids required for a medical or a special dietary purpose at a certain temperature do not have to be in a 1 litre plastic bag and are permitted in sufficient quantities for the trip as follows:

For medication – there should be documentary evidence to confirm the need to keep the liquid cool either on the label of the medication or in the form of a letter from a medical practitioner or medical company. This does not apply to over the counter medicines.

For baby food / milk – cooling gel packs and ice packs may be carried in order to keep these items cool.

For expressed liquid breast milk - sufficient cooling gel packs and ice packs may be carried in order to keep the quantity of milk carried cool.

For other dietary foodstuff /liquids – there should be documentary evidence to confirm the need to keep the food cool either on the label of the food or in the form of a letter from a medical practitioner.

Once we're satisfied that the packs are necessary, they will be screened by X-ray equipment if possible.

Advent calendars containing make-up are still subject to liquid restrictions - any liquid based items including creams, pastes, gels, lipsticks/balms/glosses and nail varnish must be removed from the calendar and no single item can exceed 100ml in capacity.

Powders should be packed into your hold luggage where possible, although these items are permitted in your hand luggage. You are more likely to avoid further security checks if you do not have any such items. Please see advisory information from the Department for Transport.

If you do not want to open the calendar then it must be checked in or it will be subject to surrender. If an item is not permitted then regrettably the airport will not reimburse for items surrendered.

When travelling with your baby you are permitted to take enough baby food/baby milk/sterilised water/formula required for the journey to your destination. Baby milk is not restricted to a 100 ml capacity - liquids are screened and Security Officers may carry out additional screening.  

Any additional baby food/milk not required for the journey should be packed into your hold luggage if you have any.

Further Department for Transport information can be found at https://www.gov.uk/hand-luggage-restrictions.

Essential prescribed medication and associated paraphernalia, including ice packs necessary for keeping medication at the required temperature and auto-injectors, are permitted in hand baggage. If you can advise the Security Officer on the tray loading position of the medication / hypodermics and have supporting documentation, either in the form of a letter from the doctor or a prescription for the item in your name, this will assist greatly with the smooth processing of baggage.

For the safety of our staff in case of the need for baggage screening, please ensure that all hypodermics (if carried) are covered and the Security Officer informed prior to the baggage search. It will also help to have medication separate from the main bag at the processing point.

View our security information page.

Another very useful link for all kinds of hand baggage restrictions from the CAA gov.uk website is https://www.gov.uk/hand-luggage-restrictions.

Food and powders should be packed into your hold luggage where possible, although these items are permitted in your hand luggage. You are more likely to avoid further security checks if you do not have any such items. Please see advisory information from the Department for Transport.

While the airport is open 24 hours, please note that we do not offer dedicated sleeping areas. While limited facilities are available, for a more comfortable overnight stay, we suggest considering one of the nearby hotels. More information on these options can be found here.

Please visit our contact page.

Please visit our contact page.

Remains are permitted in hand baggage through the x-ray and Security Officers are briefed to handle this matter in a sensitive way.

Please advise the Security Officer at the security baggage loading position of the ashes and also make sure that you have the documentation from the crematorium advising of the remains. The urn will possibly be selected for search but will then just need to be gently swabbed to fulfil the CAA search requirements.  Carrying a death certificate is also advisable.

We would also suggest that you contact the airline you are travelling with directly to ensure that they have no specific additional requirements. 

Knitting needles/crochet hooks and sewing needles, including bamboo knitting needles, are permitted through security in hand baggage. 

Cooling and heat liquid based packs

Cooling gel packs and frozen ice packs required to cool liquids required for a medical or a special dietary purpose at a certain temperature do not have to be in a 1 litre plastic bag and are permitted in sufficient quantities for the trip as follows:

For medication – there should be documentary evidence to confirm the need to keep the liquid cool either on the label of the medication or in the form of a letter from a medical practitioner or medical company. This does not apply to over the counter medicines.

For baby food / milk – cooling gel packs and ice packs may be carried in order to keep these items cool.

For expressed liquid breast milk - sufficient cooling gel packs and ice packs may be carried in order to keep the quantity of milk carried cool.

For other dietary foodstuff /liquids – there should be documentary evidence to confirm the need to keep the food cool either on the label of the food or in the form of a letter from a medical practitioner.

Once we're satisfied that the packs are necessary, they will be screened by X-ray equipment if possible.

Advent calendars containing make-up are still subject to liquid restrictions - any liquid based items including creams, pastes, gels, lipsticks/balms/glosses and nail varnish must be removed from the calendar and no single item can exceed 100ml in capacity.

Powders should be packed into your hold luggage where possible, although these items are permitted in your hand luggage. You are more likely to avoid further security checks if you do not have any such items. Please see advisory information from the Department for Transport.

If you do not want to open the calendar then it must be checked in or it will be subject to surrender. If an item is not permitted then regrettably the airport will not reimburse for items surrendered.

It is preferable to place wrapped Christmas presents within hold/checked in baggage. If taken in hand baggage, wrapped presents may need to be unwrapped to carry out secondary screening.

For reasons of security, you should always be aware of what the present(s) contain.

Please be aware that the contents of presents are still subject to liquid restrictions in line with CAA guidelines - this includes the need for liquid based products (perfumes/make-up/cosmetics) to be placed within the passenger's single liquid bag when going through the security search point.

Unfortunately the carriage of party poppers is not permitted, either within hold or hand baggage.

The carriage of fireworks is not permitted either within hold or hand baggage.

These items are not permitted in hand luggage, however you may be permitted to take them as hold luggage, please check with your airline.

Contact details of all the airlines that operate at Birmingham Airport can be found in our Airline Directory.

You may choose to alert security staff to the fact that you are carrying camera film. The security staff can than apply an alternative method of screening to your film.

You can find an overview of items permitted in hand luggage at https://www.gov.uk/hand-luggage-restrictions.

Please also check with your airline as they may have their own restrictions in place. Contact details of all the airlines that operate at Birmingham Airport can be found in our Airline Directory.

E-cigarettes are permitted through Security in your hand luggage and must be presented with your other liquids.

Some airlines prohibit the carriage of e-cigarettes within the cabin, so you should always check with your airline. Contact details of all the airlines that operate at Birmingham Airport can be found in our Airline Directory.

E-cigarettes are not permitted in checked-in luggage.

The use of e-cigarettes is restricted within the Airport to the designated smoking areas.

You can find an overview of items permitted in hand luggage at https://www.gov.uk/hand-luggage-restrictions.

Please also check with your airline as they may have their own restrictions in place. Contact details of all the airlines that operate at Birmingham Airport can be found in our Airline Directory.

Electronic devices will need to be removed from your bag and placed separately on view in a tray for screening purposes at the Security Checkpoint.  Please ensure that your electronic devices are charged before travel as if your device does not switch on when requested you will not be permitted to take it onto the aircraft.

There are restrictions on carrying spare lithium cells and batteries for items such as laptops, cameras and mobile phones. Check with your airline before you travel.

You can find an overview of items permitted in hand luggage at https://www.gov.uk/hand-luggage-restrictions.

Please also check with your airline as they may have their own restrictions in place. Contact details of all the airlines that operate at Birmingham Airport can be found in our Airline Directory.

Chemical and toxic substances are not permitted in hand luggage or hold luggage.

Ammunition is not permitted in hand luggage, however you may be permitted to take it as hold luggage, please check with your airline.

Contact details of all the airlines that operate at Birmingham Airport can be found in our Airline Directory.

Skateboards are permitted through Security in hand luggage, but you will need to check with your airline for any restrictions they have in place. These items are not permitted to be used whilst in the Airport.

Due to the lithium batteries in segways or hoverboards, most airlines do not permit the carriage of these either in hand luggage or checked in luggage - please check with your airline or travel operator regarding their restrictions on travelling with these items.

Please note, due to the danger of possible ignition - these items are not permitted to be held by Luggage Point, the lost property facility.

You are allowed to take ski boots in hand baggage.  If you are wearing your boots they will need to be removed and scanned at the x-ray point.

If you take ski boots in hand baggage they must not exceed the weight restriction for hand baggage from your Airline.  Contact details of all the airlines that operate at Birmingham Airport can be found in our Airline Directory.

Sporting equipment including skis and snowboards are not permitted in hand baggage but can be checked into the hold.

Surfboards can be taken in hold baggage as long as they are pre-booked with your airline.

Please visit our contact page.

Please visit our contact page.

Please advise a Security Officer at the earliest opportunity and where possible, travel with a confirmation note from your GP.  If you cannot walk through the metal detector you will be hand searched.  You will not need to do anything in advance of your travelling date.  If you wish for a private search, you may request one from the Security Officer.

The scanner uses harmless millimetre-waves i.e. common radio-frequency signals, which reflect off objects at extremely low power levels. These signals pass through clothing but do not penetrate the body. The scan takes seconds and creates a 3D silhouette (a stick like figure) rather than an actual image so it is impossible to identify the individual.

Further information about the scan:

● Scans will identify any items that require further investigation by our vetted and trained Security staff.● Passengers can request that their scan is viewed by a Security Officer of the same gender. The Airport must meet this request as quickly as possible.● Passengers can request to see their scan.● Scans are deleted immediately after investigation and cannot be recovered.

No, security staff are employed by Birmingham Airport and our business partners.

Please visit our contact page.