Queues at Birmingham Airport were likened to "hell" on earth today as staff struggle to cope with the increase in demand now Covid restrictions have lifted.
The staff-cut airport has seen major queues build up on Monday, May 16, with some passengers reporting waiting times of up to an hour.
It comes after the aiport has been plagued with severe delays over the last few months.
This morning, passengers flying from the airport shared snaps of crowded check-in halls, reports Birmingham Live.
Holidaymaker James Bovill, a BBC Midlands Today journalist, tweeted: "Welcome to hell. And this is just the check-in area. An hour in this TUI queue.
"Appreciate it’s peak time, but can’t help but think there’s a more efficient way of managing these crowds. Next comes security!"
Flyers who have made it through security reported it took them around 50 minutes.
Ian Really said: "The entire process to clear security took 45 minutes and 1700 steps. Pretty good for a Monday."
In a statement, a Birmingham Airport spokesperson said: "Our operation ran steadily this morning as we helped around half of the 15,600 customers booked to depart BHX today through security screening, and on to their flights.
"We’d like to thank customers who took a moment today to say 'thank you,' either in person or on social media, to our hardworking terminal colleagues. This means a lot as we work hard to recover our staffing numbers and service levels following a bruising couple of years for the aviation sector.
“As always, we ask customers to arrive at the airport at the time your airline advises - and to help us help you keep queues moving by removing any liquids, gels, pastes and electrical items from your bags before our security x-ray scanners."
It comes after airports across the UK have been slammed with issues ever since international travel started to become easier again following coronavirus restrictions being lifted.
Due to the disruption passengers started being urged to arrive at the airport at the earliest possible time to allow for delays, while unions have warned that the disruption could last for months with staffing issues unlikely to be solved in the short-term.
The UK's top 10 airports hit by flight cancellations included Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton and Manchester, among others.
