Birmingham airport (BHX) has provided an update on its £40 million project to create a new security hall.
The new facility is scheduled to come online in June 2024, and while construction takes place there is reduced space for queuing on the upper floor of the terminal building.
As a result the airport has reconfigured the lower floor, moving car hire counters to one of its car parks to create alternative queuing areas.
The airport’s assisted travel facility has also been moved to a new location downstairs, with wayfinding signs in place to direct customers.
BHX said that “more changes to walking routes will take place throughout this year as the terminal is reconfigured to accommodate its state-of-the-art security screening area”.
Until the new facility opens the airport’s existing pre-flight security screening area remains in use.
This means that rules on removing large electrical items and liquids from hand luggage when going through security will remain in place until the opening of the new facility.
In December last year The Department for Transport set a deadline of June 2024 for major UK airports to replace existing 2D screening technology with more advanced CT security scanners, which will both remove the need for passengers to remove liquids and large electrical items from their hand luggage, as well as enabling the lifting of the 100ml limit.
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Birmingham airport is also undergoing work to fit a new roof over the north side of the terminal, which will let in more light and will be fitted with solar panels providing power to help run the new security scanners.
In addition four new 50-person lifts are being installed at the front of the terminal, to replace existing escalators, which the airport says will free up space on both floors.
Commenting on the news Al Titterington, terminal operations director for BHX, said:
“Keeping our airport running while this major construction project takes place is rather like a sports stadium continuing to stage fixtures while relaying the pitch.
“With space constrained as we build our new security hall, customers are going to find themselves queueing in unfamiliar areas of the terminal, including downstairs rather than upstairs.
“We are marking new walking routes with wayfinding signage, which will be updated as construction progresses. Our friendly customer experience staff will always be on hand to help.”
