Birmingham Airport prepares for busiest summer ever
Birmingham Airport (BHX) is preparing for its busiest summer getaway on record with an expected 10% increase in passengers year-on-year, with over 2.5 million passengers set to travel through over the summer break.
Birmingham Airport (BHX) is preparing for its busiest summer getaway on record with an expected 10% increase in passengers year-on-year, with over 2.5 million passengers set to travel through over the summer break.
Dublin, Palma and Alicante continue to rank among the most popular holiday hotspots, as passengers plan to head overseas to make the most of the summer season. Domestically, Belfast is the top pick for the school holidays with more than 80,000 Midlanders set to fly from Birmingham to the Northern Ireland capital for work, leisure and family visits.
BHX remains on track for its busiest year ever and, since last summer, has continued to invest in improving the passenger experience through its largest-ever capital investment programme. Key developments include the expansion of the South immigration and baggage reclaim area, which increases processing capacity for arriving passengers, a wider selection of new concessionary outlets in the departure lounge, and a brand-new luxury Aspire lounge.
Ahead of the summer break, Birmingham Airport is issuing some top tips to help customers ensure a ‘sun-sational’ travel experience.
Chris Wilson, Head of Terminal and Capacity Planning of Birmingham Airport said: “We are preparing for another busy summer holiday getaway with many Midlands passengers jetting off to stunning holiday destinations all around the world. Passengers are reminded that Birmingham Airport now allows for liquids up to 2 litres and all electricals, such as laptops, mobile phones and tablets, to be kept in hand luggage when going through security, this includes lithium batteries that can only go in hand luggage. Upon arrival into the UK,
“Families travelling this summer should also be aware that children aged eight and over can now use UK eGates if they are at least 120cm tall, hold an eligible biometric passport and are accompanied by an adult. This will mean that families with children eight and above can use the e-gates together making border control more convenient.
“Our colleagues will be on hand in the terminal to assist passengers on their way through the airport. However, we encourage all to look at our website for the latest guidance on travel.”
Top Tips for Customers for the Summer getaway:
Liquid restrictions at Birmingham Airport have changed. You are allowed to carry liquids, pastes and gels in containers up to 2 litres in hand luggage during the security search. There is no limit on the number of containers that can be carried.
Due to ongoing updates in safety guidelines and regulatory standards, items that were previously accepted may no longer be permitted. Passengers should check before travelling for advance advice given by airports from, and through, which you may travel. Any item carried as cabin baggage, is required to clear security screening. Should any item fail to clear the security check, the item would not be permitted to travel.
You should always check the liquid restrictions with all airlines and airports that you will be travelling from and through on your outward and return journeys. As not all airports allow 2 litres yet.
All electrical items remain in hand luggage during the security search.
Please ensure any aluminium/metal bottles/flasks are emptied in advance of security. Refill stations are available once through security and are free of charge.
When going through security, please ensure all items are out of pockets including phones, keys, coins, earphones and tissues etc. Watches can be left on, but please be prepared to remove belts and shoes if requested.
Passengers who are fitted with external medical devices, internal medical implants and prosthetics are encouraged to make the Security Officer aware of this prior to stepping into the security scanner to ensure that appropriate search processes are applied.
To avoid any delays to your trip, never pack vapes, e-cigarettes or devices containing lithium-ion batteries (such as DSLR cameras) in your hold luggage (checked bags). Whilst the majority of airlines permit such items to be carried in your cabin baggage (carry-on), some airlines do not. Always check the ability to carry e-cigarettes or vapes within their cabins, with your airline. Contact details of all the airlines that operate at Birmingham Airport can be found in the Airport’s Airline Directory.
Each airline has its own check in time. Customers are reminded to turn up in line with when their check in opens. This detail can be found on their booking.
Customers travelling with easyJet, Ryanair, Jet2 or TUI can drop their bags off the day before with the twilight service for eligible flights departing the next day. Please check with the relevant airline for specific drop off times. You can find more information here.
Please ensure all personal belongings including luggage are kept with you at all times in the airport.
Eligible passengers aged 8 and over who are at least 120cm tall can use UK eGates when travelling with a biometric passport from the UK, EU, EEA, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea or the USA. Children aged under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Check in Zones in the terminal:
➡Zone A for Jet2
➡Zone D for Emirates
➡Zones B & C for all other airlines
Finally, our website has a Frequently Asked Questions page which is a useful guide for customers to find the answers to common queries. Alternatively, our digital live chat bot service, Babs, is available on our website to provide 24/7assistance.
For further detail on security guidance please visit here.