Passengers flying from Newcastle International Airport can expect to get through security in a reasonable time, as the terminal prepares for its busiest period of the year so far.
More than 200,000 passengers are expected to pass through Newcastle International Airport over the next two weeks, which includes the Easter bank holiday weekend. Coronavirus restrictions have been relaxed around the world this year, bringing a sense of normality back to travel.
The ' mayhem ' at Manchester Airport, where passengers have queued for hours to get through security, is not expected to be repeated at Newcastle International Airport. Its bosses are confident passengers will get to the departure lounge without lengthy waits.
Read more: Can you take food through airport security
"This year, so far, 99% of our customers have got through in six minutes or less," Graeme Mason, the airport's Chief Sustainability and Communications Officer, told ChronicleLive. "There will be busier times, but we're expecting people to get through in a reasonable amount of time."
The airport has been preparing for the Easter period's increase in passengers, by working with its partners at check-in, baggage handling and immigration to make travel as smooth as possible. Passengers can do their bit by preparing before they arrive at the scanners.
"We've worked for many months to prepare for this. About 200,000 passengers will come through the terminal over the Easter fortnight, so we are well prepared," Graeme added.
"Obviously, we're urging people to be prepared themselves in terms of security, reminding them of the liquid requirements, 100ml bottles in a clear plastic bag, they'll get asked to take their belt off, etc, so all of those things that were required before the pandemic, people have to do. But we're well prepared for this."
Passengers should also remove large electrical items from their bags and place them in the security trays, and take off their coats and boots if they are wearing them. With the summer flights season underway, it is little surprise that it's sunny destinations most passengers are heading to.
Airport chief executive Nick Jones said: “Some of the most popular destinations for the 200,000 passengers travelling through Newcastle over the next two weeks are expected to be Spain, Portugal, Dubai, the Canary Islands and Cyprus. Many passengers will also be travelling further afield to cities such as New York, Bangkok and Orlando, connecting from the North East via London Heathrow, Dubai, Paris, Amsterdam and Frankfurt.”
Ryanair has recently opened a new base at Newcastle and added new routes. There are new destinations to fly to as well, including more choices in Greece and Turkey.
Nick added: “We have a host of new destinations and airlines for our passengers to enjoy this summer. Recently we celebrated the opening of a new Ryanair base on site, which brings with it two aircraft, over 60 jobs and 19 routes for the airline from Newcastle including 4 new destinations of Milan, Riga, Zadar and Chania.
“This week sees the start of even more flights to the popular sunshine destinations of Antalya and Dalaman in Turkey with Corendon Airlines, a new low-cost Turkish airline to join the Airport’s list of operators. Finally, next week Aer Lingus will resume 5-weekly flights to Dublin, providing even more connectivity and convenient onward connection to the USA and Canada.”
How to get through airport security quickly
Most passengers get through airport security within six minutes at Newcastle Airport. While passenger numbers are set to rise over the coming weeks, the airport bosses say they have been working hard to prepare for the peak period.
Newcastle International Airport has issued useful tips for how to prepare for going through airport security.
- Have your boarding pass ready for inspection. You do not need to show your passport at this stage.
- If you’re carrying any liquid items in a clear resealable plastic bag, take them out of your hand baggage ready for inspection - liquids must be in clear bottles with a capacity of no more than 100ml, and you are allowed up to 1 litre in total (so 10 x 100mls).
- Take off your coat and belt when you reach the front of the queue so you’re ready for the X-ray machines.
- Electrical items such as laptops, mobile phones and tablets will need to go through X-ray machines separately, so get them ready by taking them out of your hand luggage.
- All bags will be screened by X-ray scanners.
- Place your hand baggage and coat/jacket into a tray.
- Pushchairs and walking aids will be X-ray screened.
- Wheelchairs and other mobility aids will be thoroughly searched.
- You may be asked to remove your shoes and/or other items of clothing or jewellery before going through the security archway.
How early should I get to Newcastle International Airport?
Rather than giving a recommendation on how early you should arrive before a flight, Newcastle Airport urges you to follow the advice of your airline, as it can depend on the destination and whether or not you need to check bags in.
Communications manager Graeme, said: "Different airlines have different requirements, so what we're not doing is giving everybody the same instructions. We're saying check with your airline for when you should be checking in and then just follow those instructions."
How long does it take to get through security at Newcastle International Airport?
So far this year, 99% of passengers have got through airport security in Newcastle in just six minutes. The waiting time could increase due to a spike in passenger numbers, but bosses are confident that travellers will clear security in a "reasonable time" - they are not expecting a repeat of the scenes at Manchester Airport.
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