Airport staff have revealed ways that you can get through security quicker, amid a period of nationwide travel chaos. Travellers across the country have been facing long queues at security and delays boarding planes, with the aviation industry said to be on its knees due to staff shortages.
A pilot for British Airways has revealed that the industry is struggling to operate at pre-Covid capacity, due to a number of factors including a shortage of staff and "mismanagement" during the pandemic. The pilot, who did not want to be named, predicted that the dissaray we have seen in airports in recent weeks is only set to continue throughout the summer.
The pilot, who warned that remaining staff were "burned out" and getting ready to leave the industry, said: "A pilot I was speaking to the other day said he hadn't been worked this hard in 15 years at the company. We're full on at the moment. There are not many happy people right now. It is a perfect storm."
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This comes as holiday and flight operator, TUI, have apologised for recent delays and flight cancellations. Managing director, Andrew Flintham, said that holiday cancellations had been "rare" but apologised for the distress these had caused customers. He also said that the company had "learnt from what happened".
Now, Bristol Airport have shared some tips for customers to get through security quicker, as large queues and delays continue. The airport is just one of many across the UK that have faced capacity issues in recent weeks, with long queues throughout the building being reported by exhausted holidaymakers, BristolLive reports.
Bristol Airport, like Manchester Airport, has struggled with increased demand post-Covid, as people desperately try to make the most of the chance to get away. But many passengers have turned to social media to vent that the experience was not what they had hoped, as they got snarled up in queues that lasted hours.
In a bid to help passengers travel through busy security ports quicker, Bristol Airport has shared some universal advice that can be employed at airports across the country. It includes ensuring that your electronics are removed from your bags in advance and making sure that your liquids are placed in a separate bag.
A spokesperson for the airport said: "We’ve put together a quick checklist to make your journey through security as easy as possible:
- Remove laptop computers/ electrical devices;
- Place liquids in separate liquids bag;
- Empty your pockets into the trays;
- Take off your jacket/ coat."
And to ensure a smoother transition through Passport Control, the airport advised that people make use of the ePassport facility. And passengers should make sure that they have removed their passport from any cover and that they are not wearing hats or sunglasses.
Those aged 12 and over can use ePassport. The airport tweeted: "Flying into Bristol Airport soon? Use one of our ePassport gates at Passport Control for faster and quicker checks. Please remember to:
- Remove your passport from any cover;
- Remove all hats/ sunglasses;
- 12 years and over can use our ePassport."
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