More staff recruited in bid to tackle long airport queues

Extra workers at Birmingham Airport have been brought in to "explain cabin baggage liquid rules to passengers" who are continuing to face long queues to get through security. The short-term move follows continuing criticism over lengthy hold-ups that have caused some people to miss flights. An enlarged temporary structure with a number of so-called "liquid check stations" has now opened, the airport said. "The more we can do together to reduce the number of bags that don't comply with these rules, the more we can reduce queues at security screening," added CE Nick Barton. Barton previously spoke of his disappointment that restrictions on carrying liquids of more than 100ml in hand luggage, which had been eased, were temporarily reintroduced by the UK government. The airport has spent GBP60m on new scanners in the expectation rules on liquids would be relaxed. Described as next generation security checkpoints, they will scan luggage bags that contain bottles of liquid of up to two litres. Barton said the extra "third-party customer service specialists" would in the meantime explain current rules and help passengers "prepare for security". "These new measures are designed to give passengers a smoother and easier experience though security," he added. The airport boss has previously claimed about one in six passengers going through Birmingham are not following procedures on liquid limits.<br/>