Getting through an airport and off on holiday can feel like an endurance test. Even before the CrowdStrike tech meltdown, summer security queues hit headlines, with delays of up to three hours at Birmingham Airport in June, blamed on a sudden change of government rules on liquids in hand luggage.
Data from aviation analytics firm Cirium indicates the 10 busiest airports for departures this July and August will be Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Stansted, Edinburgh, Luton, Birmingham, Bristol, Glasgow and Belfast International. Prior to last week’s IT problems, most were reporting queues of 15 minutes or under for security.
Heathrow, which Cirium shows will have a total 42,213 flights leaving this July and August, says over 95 per cent of passengers currently queue for fewer than five minutes for security. Gatwick (expecting 26,612 departures), meanwhile, claims as of mid-July, 97 per cent of passengers have processed security in under five minutes.
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Manchester dips to 80 per cent of passengers clearing the scanning area in fewer than five minutes but 90 per cent make it through within 10 minutes and 97 per cent in under 15. The airport says Fridays are busiest, but because it adjusts staff levels accordingly, waiting times should remain consistent.
Stansted has seen record passenger levels but similarly reports processing 97 per cent within a quarter of an hour, with average six-minute queue times over its June peaks. Thursdays and Fridays are the airport’s busiest departure days.
Of course, most school holidays have only just begun in England and Wales. Abta, the Travel Association, estimates that more than two million British holidaymakers will head off on holiday this weekend, with today set to be the busiest day.
Airports in the South East are expected to be busiest and while Scottish schools are well into their summer holidays, many holidaymakers will still be departing from Edinburgh and Glasgow’s airports this weekend.
Edinburgh Airport, due to be this summer’s fifth busiest, saw 97.5 per cent of passengers clear security within 15 minutes between 1 and 7 July and similar the following week.
It publishes current wait times on its website and on social media. A spokesperson advises: “Our busiest time is first thing in the morning… passengers move through quite quickly and the best way to ensure that is by being prepared for security.”
At Luton, July’s wait times have averaged eight minutes. The airport is trialling a free Prebook Security service allowing passengers arriving between 3am-4.30am (the beginning of its 4-7am “rush hour”) to reserve 10-minute time slots online an hour to four days before their flight, subject to availability.
Since its headline-making queues, Birmingham, due to handle 8,749 July and August departures, has settled to average 10-minute waits over recent weeks, though its highest peak has hit 45-minute delays. A spokesperson said: “We’ve been on hand to help passengers prepare for security screening under a temporary facility, with additional third-party customer service staff.”
Average security queue times at Bristol Airport have been 14 minutes or fewer over the last fortnight. However, it warns against complacency: “Whether checking-in online or at the airport, please also allow plenty of time for traffic, parking, and security search.”
Northern Ireland started its school holidays in late June. Last month 92 per cent of Belfast International Airport passengers processed security within 15 minutes, with more than 86 per cent “happy” with their experience. With fewer holiday flights, Belfast City Airport boasts a six-minute security transfer. Its crunch time is between 5-6.30am on Fridays.
Liverpool is similarly busiest for departures between 4-6am with Fridays the most popular. It claims that nearly all passengers transit security in 15 minutes or under, with average wait times of seven minutes in the preceding area.
East Midlands has a 4am-7am security crunch time but has managed an average seven-minute wait during those hours over the last fortnight.
Among smaller airports, Newquay is undergoing building work to upgrade security, but says it’s still averaging 10 minutes security waits around its most popular international Ryanair flights.
How to ensure a smooth security experience
Check-in
While airports don’t want you arriving late, turning up so early that check-in isn’t open also causes unnecessary delays – terminals are designed around flowing capacity. Airlines should be able to advise on opening times. Edinburgh has also published a blog covering its various check-in desks.
Use apps
Apps from National Rail, the AA, RAC and Google Maps show real-time journey delays. Remember, also, when airport route planning, to search on the time and date of your actual journey.
Stick to the rules
The rule on removing liquids from hand luggage was due to be abolished this summer but scanner installation and software issues mean that restrictions remain at every airport.
A Heathrow spokesperson reiterates: “We continue to advise passengers to arrive as normal (two hours before short-haul and three hours before long-haul) and to prepare their hand luggage for security; liquids 100ml or under in a separate clear bag, laptops and large electricals in a separate tray for screening.”
Edinburgh points out rejected bag searches take an average extra 15 minutes. In early July, 81 per cent were due to luggage containing liquids and large electricals.
Remember etiquette
Standing at the conveyor belt repacking bags and replacing watches jams the system. Trays should be unpacked on a nearby surface then placed on the stack of empties.
Consider upgrading
If budget allows, passengers can pre-book Fast Track/Express Lane schemes from £5 per person at airports including Gatwick, Stansted, Manchester, Edinburgh, Birmingham, East Midlands and Luton. Early birds can relax in lounges from the likes of Club Aspire, Plaza Premium, The Escape and No1, which typically cost from £30 for adults, £20 upwards for children. Passes can be pre-booked directly or through sites including Lounge Pass and Holiday Extras.
