Holidaymakers face yet more hellish delays as summer travel chaos strikes again.
Photos and videos shared on social media show hundreds of people stuck outside Birmingham Airport.
It comes less than a week after the new restrictions on liquids in hand luggage were scrapped, with many air travellers now desperately confused about what they can and can’t take on board.
Several airports across the UK were due to increase the limit on liquids from 100ml to two litres following the introduction of a new scanning system, known as Next Generation Security Checkpoints.
But the rollout of these new security measures has been marred by massive delays and even construction problems, with floors at some airports requiring reinforcement in order to accommodate the sheer weight of the new machines.
Holidaymakers are now being encouraged to arrive early as the mass confusion over what the limits currently are has resulted in considerable delays.
Shots from Birmingham Airport show the queues were already beginning to mount at 5am today, with reports of delays of up to two hours for people trying to get through security.
One person tweeted: ‘Birmingham Airport today… two hours of security queues. Get there early.’
Another person wrote: ‘I had Fast Track so it wasn’t too bad at 35 minutes for security but for non Fast Track the queues are massive all over the car park.
‘When you get inside it is like the Olympics with people running to catch flights. Come on England!’
A spokesperson for the airport said: ‘Our new security area was designed, and resourced, to accommodate the increase to two litres being carried in cabin baggage, this currently cannot be operated with the temporary restriction.
‘In order to have full compliance to this new directive we have further amended our operating process.
‘We now have “liquid check stations” at all entrances to the terminal where colleagues are directly assisting passengers to ensure liquids containers over 100ml are removed.
‘With these additional checks we have seen a large proportion of customers still arriving with liquids over 100ml in their bags and these have to be regrettably removed and disposed of.
‘Containers that can carry more than a 100ml are permitted but, need to be completely empty.
‘Our security flow rate has been continuous today, helped by these extra checks and we welcome and appreciate the co-operation of our passengers in eliminating oversize liquids from their cabin baggage.
‘The outdoor queues seen today are from “liquid check stations”.
‘Since our new security area opened in May, we have seen continuous non-compliant bags coming through security causing unnecessary queues and delays to customers’ journeys.
‘This new step in the process is to remove the issue before customers proceed.
‘It is now, more than ever, imperative that customers abide by the 100ml rule.
‘This additional layer of control risks slowing down the security process without the support of passengers.
They added: ‘For customers who are less able to stand for durations we advise they book the assisted travel service.
‘However, if a customer is queueing during our peak periods and feels they need assistance then our customer ambassadors are in the area and can assist them without losing their place in the line.’
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