Passengers were stuck in long queues at Bristol Airport
(Picture: Michelle Ekin/Twitter)Bristol Airport has apologised after travellers were stuck in huge queues during half-term travel chaos.
Travellers at the airport experienced hours of queuing at security on Friday due to a staffing shortage.
The airport has apologised for the “unacceptable” wait times and said queues have now returned to normal.
Security queues early this morning were unacceptable and we apologise to all customers who were impacted. Far fewer security staff were working than planned. We’re in urgent discussions with our security business partner so passengers receive the service they rightly expect
— Bristol Airport (@BristolAirport) October 21, 2022
However, several passengers spoke out about the “chaotic” scenes on social media.
One woman said she was left fearing for her safety and only managed to board her flight because the airline waited.
In response to the airport’s apology, Michelle Ekin wrote on Twitter: “We can deal with queues but you need to prepare for busy days better and train your staff.
"Most of them just stood there looking bewildered letting people cut the queue, knocking over barriers and causing more chaos.
"It was getting really hostile and felt dangerous at one point.
Another passenger warned the airport that the huge build-up of congestion could lead to a “horrible accident”.
They wrote: “@bristolairport ridiculous lack of system. Queuing for 3 hours and still hundreds of people in front of us before security.
“No info. Everyone really stressed. There’s going to be some horrible accident. Shocking. And we’ll prob miss flight.”
At least ten flights were delayed due to the long queues.
A spokesperson for Bristol Airport said: “The queues for security in the early morning were unacceptable and we apologise to all customers who were impacted.
“Far fewer security staff were working than planned. We’re urgently discussing the issue with our security business partner so passengers receive the service levels they rightly expect.”
