Over-an-hour long queues outside Bristol Airport as situation is labelled an ‘absolute shambles’

Disgruntled passengers arriving at Bristol Airport this morning faced huge queues outside again as disruption at the troubled site continues.

One customer said the queue was the longest he’d seen ‘in his life’ as he waited to get through security at around 5am this morning (Thursday, May 19).

It follows weeks of issues including the same long queues, delayed flights and waits for baggage as Covid fears lift and holidaymakers flood the airport.

Airport bosses have apologised for ‘above average’ waiting times and insist they are working to ensure ‘staff levels are efficient’ - but the recent chaos has sparked concern about how the airport will cope during the summer rush.

Josh Newton, who was heading to Dubrovnik this morning, was stood in a queue for security for around 80 minutes, tweeting: ‘I can smell the £7.50 flat pint of Stella’.

But he later told BristolWorld: “To be fair, the staff handled it really well and people were generally in good spirits.”

John Bevir said he had stood in the same queue for security which spanned ‘down the stairs, through the terminal, out the door and along the front of the terminal’.

He added: “Absolute shambles. It’s almost like they want you to buy the fast track pass so you actually make your flight.”

Robyn Fairley said the queue to just get into the airport this morning was ‘the longest he’d seen in his life’ and branded operations ‘poor’ and ‘ridiculous’.

Twitter user Beth said she had arrived three hours early after being warned to expect delays via an email from Ryanair.

She said: “Go to baggage drop, can’t take our bags untol two hours before flight. Queue for security currently over 75 minutes snaking out of the door.”

What Bristol Airport said

A spokesperson for the airport apologised for ‘above average’ check-in and security queues during ‘peak operation’ this morning.

They said: “The maximum queue time at check-in did not exceed 43 minutes and security queue time did not exceed 90 mins, no delays were experienced at bag-drop desks.

“We work closely with all business partners and airline handling agents to ensure staffing levels are sufficient to provide a good service and our average queue time for security is 30 minutes.

“We constantly review resourcing across all areas and adapt plans to meet demand and build in resilience where possible to ensure that service standards are consistent through the day.

“We appreciate the frustration experienced by customers currently and please be reassured our teams are working exceptionally hard to assist customers throughout the airport journey.

“All business partners are continuing to recruit and train new colleagues, but this takes time.”

The spokesperson advised customers to check with their airline when their check-in/ bag drop desk opens and arrive in the terminal at this time.

They added: “Do not arrive too early as customers will not be able to check-in.”