British holidaymakers have been dealt a blow after six airports reintroduced restrictions on liquids carried in hand luggage.
The 100ml liquid rule was initially scrapped after scanners were rolled out to help security staff detect the contents of bags.
Newcastle, Leeds Bradford, London City, Southend, Aberdeen and Teesside reinstated the restriction despite meeting the deadline to roll out the new technology by June 1.
Holidaymakers at Birmingham airport have been queuing outside after the 100ml liquid rule caused confusion, with some describing "utter chaos" after they were forced to wait outside as early as 4am.
Several airports will be forced to lift the liquid ban at a later dateGETTYKaren Dee, chief executive of trade body the Airport Operators Association, said the surprise announcement to reintroduce the rule was “sprung” on airports, which were given “very little time to react".
She also said it “created uncertainty for passengers just as airports enter their busiest periods of the year".
Dee continued: “It has also put airport operators in a challenging position, with very limited time to prepare for the additional staffing and wider resources that this will require and no clear idea of when this issue will be resolved."
The Department for Transport explained the reintroduction of restrictions would “enable further improvements to be made to the new checkpoint systems”.
Heathrow, London Gatwick and Manchester still have restrictions on liquids in place as the scanners have not yet been introduced.
Birmingham Airport was among the UK airports that had already upgraded to the new equipment but had to keep the rule in place.
The airport put the decision down to “an outstanding regulatory approval on its new screening machines”.
It is still permitting passengers to keep their 100ml liquids inside their hand luggage while going through security.
The change of rules has led to mammoth queues forming all the way outside the airport as early as 4am today.
A spokesperson for Birmingham Airport said: “Our security process now has two elements to it to help our customers transition through security with compliant bags.
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Airports have been given an extension to install new scanning technology GETTY“As ever, we remind all customers to arrive in line with your check-in opening time and not before, details on booking documents and to only bring liquids under 100ml in hand baggage.”
Taking to X, one passenger wrote: “Carnage at Birmingham airport, three lanes of queuing at 4 am @bhx_official #bhx #birminghamairport.
Another said: “Absolutely embarrassing from @bhx_official with this queue to even get inside the building at 4 am.
A third quipped: “Get to Birmingham Airport early. It’s chaos. 4 am. @bhx_official #bhx”
