Passengers heading on half-term holidays through Glasgow Airport met with 'insane queues' this morning due to an issue with the airport's new security technology. Travellers were left angry after facing long queues at the Scottish travel hub before getting to security checks. Taking to social media, many passengers have shared pictures of the queues in the security hall, with some claiming they have even missed their flights.
One traveller wrote on social media platform, X: "Anyone flying from Glasgow Airport anytime soon. They are trialling a new security system on certain days and it's pandemonium. I got talking to a couple that were two hours in the queue. I ended up going through priority for £6.99 as the board said an hour wait.".
A spokesperson for the airport confirmed to the Mirror that next generation security screaming technology was responsible for the queues, which some passengers have claimed are 1,000 people long and winding down from the top floor of the airport. The issues were resolved before lunchtime on Thursday.
Have you been caught up in the chaos? Email webtravel@reachplc.com. The airport's spokesperson has said that the queues are back to a normal length at the airport and that it is 'business as usual'. They added that the waits were over before the end of the morning and that the airport is running at normal capacity.
A number of passengers have missed their flights this morning, people at the airport have claimed. "There was so many people missing their flights as theyd arrive not expecting that. Defo never seen Glasgow like that before. Was a shame seeing so many people running through duty free to get to their gates.. A 2hr + wait for security in a smaller airport like Glasgow," one person wrote on X.
Another added: "Absolute nightmare wasn’t it. I seen at least 10 people miss their Portugal flight on the next gate to us.". Last summer, chaos hit Birmingham Airport over a number of weeks, with long delays and queues snaking out of the airport. The airport, at the time, advised travellers to arrive early after it experieced security delays due to setbacks in installing new CT scanners, confusion over liquid allowances and then a Government U-turn. Some airlines advised passengers to arrive at the airport three hours early, due to the extensive queues causing long wait times to get through security.
A traveller on X (formerly Twitter) said at the time: "I didn't think anywhere could be worse than Birmingham Airport for security and I was right. All done and dusted in Rome in four minutes.". One passenger described the scenes as "chaotic" as those with flights leaving soon rushed to the front of the queue. "This was really horrific, no warning at all! It is chaotic, with people with flights leaving imminently having to battle their way to the front," they wrote on Facebook.
@GLA_Airport once again security is a complete disgrace, the queues this morning are beyond the security gates, stretching right back the multi storey Carl park entrance. There are two lanes open - you are not staffing security appropriately and this is a regular problem. pic.twitter.com/gkEPKNFnFC.
Glasgow Airport has confirmed that the new security technology that has experienced an issue is the next generation security screening technology.The technology eliminates the need for travellers to remove items from their bags and is expected to create an easier and faster passenger experience. One installed, passengers can leave liquids, laptops and other electronics in their hand baggage. The Government made a u-turn in June of last year on liquid rules, after many airport had failed to meet the deadline for installation of the new scanners.
So far, not a huge amount. A spokesperson for the airport told us: “As we move to new security technology we have experienced a system issue which is currently being fixed. Glasgow Airport experienced a slightly longer than normal queue this morning in the security hall. We apologise for any inconvenience caused and thank passengers for their patience.”.
A passenger at Glasgow Airport has claimed they have "never seen Glasgow Airport like this" as she had to queue around the entire top floor. Gillian Baynes took to Facebook with a picture of the queues, which were all "before you get to the first scanners". Despite acting quick and booking priority check-in, she still experienced a half an hour wait.
Tensions are rising in the Scottish travel hub. One irate passenger explained: "We missed our flight by a matter of minutes. The @easyJet member of staff was a disgrace at the gate. Nine people missed our flight, bags were being taken off and flight missed its taxi. No signs highlighting length of time in queue, we were 1 hour 20 in queue! Shambles.".
Another added: "Looks like I'm missing my flight as on final call and still stuck at security." A third shared: "Chaos still bad, never seen anything like it. If you are flying out of Glasgow today get her at least three hours early!". Chaos still bad, never seen anything like it. If you are flying out of Glasgow today get her at least three hours early! pic.twitter.com/pyoA5bo47I.
