Getting through Leeds Bradford Airport is still proving to be a "horrendous" task as another day of bad queues prevail at the airport.
Over the Easter holidays passengers were hit with long stretching queues and delays heading into security at the airport - and weeks later, things appear to be the same. Around 6am this morning |(May 12), a sea of passengers were seen waiting in snaking lines from the Jet 2 check-in desk through to security.
Passengers told Leeds Live that they were waiting two hours in queues with "no end" from 4am this morning. Airlines like Jet 2 are advising customers to get to the airport three hours before take-off, but many report that despite their early arrival, an hour before their flight they are still "stuck" in queues.
Read more: Leeds Bradford Airport chaos as huge queues cause woman to miss two flights on same day
One passenger said: "I was at Leeds Bradford Airport at 4.15am for the flight departing at 6.25am. Queues are horrendous. I am still in a queue and I can't see the end of the line."
He added: "A week ago, I dropped off my friend at the same airport and he experienced the same thing." Another passenger, travelling to Bulgaria from LBA reported around 6am that she faced delays too.
"Absolute chaos, queues out the door. Anyone travelling from here, get here early for f**k sake", she said. A different passenger, also travelling to Bulgaria said it took them "two hours and 15 mins" to get through security.
This morning at the airport proves to be similar, but with bigger queues than on Wednesday (May 11), which saw passengers getting on flights between 6am and 8am face queues "like never before". At 7am yesterday, frustrated passengers, both going on business trips, or away for a holiday, were seen on their mobile phones to loved ones saying that the "queues seem like they're going to be ages".
Two West Yorkshire Police officers were seen monitoring the "standstill" queues, and passengers waited around an hour to get up to the security section. People coming into the airport with trolleys of luggage, suitcase, and prams struggled to get through the doors easily due to the amount of people queuing, and others were reportedly stuck in line at security just ten minutes before their flight was due to depart.
A passenger travelling with Ryanair on Wednesday pointed out that the advice between airlines in conflicting. The individual, who wishes to remain unnamed said: "So, the airport recommend arriving three hours before your flight but Ryanair check-in only opens two hours before your flight. Perhaps the airport management need to talk to Ryanair and get them to open their check-in earlier?"
The ongoing problems are due to "ongoing recruitment and training activities", the airport say. An LBA spokesperson has said they are confident with more staff being recruited, the situation will go back to normal but they admitted “very few passengers that regrettably miss their flight”. Those who miss flights are told to contact their airline for advice.
Leeds Bradford Airport said: "Looking to the future, we’re moving ahead with plans to dramatically improve our passengers’ experience through upgrades to our terminal, and we continuously work with airlines and ground handling agents to minimise delays and cancellations to flights.
"We would like to apologise to passengers impacted by queues at LBA. We’re working hard to overcome these challenges that are impacting airports across the country, through recruitment and training initiatives, while managing queues safely."
What can you do to streamline your journey according to LBA
Arrive at the airport three hours prior to your departure
Prepare your carry-on baggage – remove all large electronic devices, carry liquids and gels less than 100ml in a 1 litre ziploc bag, do not carry liquids over 100ml or other prohibited items in carry-on baggage
Empty your pockets - Remove all items from pockets, remove any jackets or coats and remove any boots or high heeled shoes and put them and pocket contents through the X-ray units
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