Security at Glasgow Airport was so overrun with thousands of passengers this morning, some feared they would miss their flights.
Frustrated customers took to social media to describe the situation at the airport as “dire” and “a farce” as one male passenger even claimed the queue was so long, it stretched into the car park.
Jamie Peacock wrote on Twitter: “@GLA_Airport what the hell is going on with the queues at #glasgowairport? Security queue as far as the car park.”
Farce at Glasgow airport. Security Q meltdowns
— Alan Dingwall (@AlanDingwallCFO) April 24, 2017
I fear many flights from #Glasgowairport will be leaving half full - queues are insane. If you're flying, get here MUCH earlier than normal
— Lynn Lester (@Lynnsweettweet) April 24, 2017
Glasgow Airport has absolutely lost the plot this morning #MondayMorning
— Katie Stewart (@K80Stewart) April 24, 2017
@GLA_Airport what the hell is going on with the queues at #glasgowairport? Security queue as far as the car park.
— Jamie Peacock (@TheJamiePeacock) April 24, 2017
The queue for security is absolutely ridiculous this morning at Glasgow airport. Never seen anything like this before.
— Alastair paton (@A77Y1690) April 24, 2017
Another, Alastair Paton, said: “The queue for security is absolutely ridiculous this morning at Glasgow airport. Never seen anything like this before.”
The airport apologised for the situation and said its team was “working to get things back to normal.”
Passenger Jo challenged the airport further, and said: “Genuinely scary moment at the top of the escalator when people couldn’t get off. Could’ve been carnage.”
The airport replied: “Hi Jo, we’re sorry for earlier. It’s unusual for there to be queues of this size. It was due to staff shortage which we apologise for.”
@GLA_Airport That was dire this morning, surely u have contingencies? 45 mins to get thru for domestic is ridiculous. Will you refund for missed flights?
— steuartbet (@steuartbet) April 24, 2017
We're sorry for the queues at security this morning. The team is working to get things back to normal
— Glasgow Airport (@GLA_Airport) April 24, 2017
@GLA_Airport Genuinely scary moment at the top of the escalator when people couldn't get off. Could've been carnage
— Jo Scott (@JoTrishaScott) April 24, 2017
@GLA_Airport 35 minutes. No hint of what was going on.
— Dermot (@dermotcole) April 24, 2017
@GLA_Airport why didn't you keep airlines updated? @Ryanair refused us boarding and said they were unaware of any problems
— Dougie Loan (@dougieloan17) April 24, 2017
The airport has since told the Evening Times the situation is back to normal and, again, emphasised staff shortages.
A spokesman said: “We’d like to apologise to our passengers for any delays they experienced this morning while travelling through the airport.
“Security is our first priority, however, we accept this morning’s level of service fell below the standards our passengers have come to expect at Glasgow Airport.”
The news comes just one day after the airport was shockingly branded one of the worst in the world for passenger complaints.
READ MORE: Glasgow Airport 'one of the worst in the world' for passenger complaints
A survey carried out by consumer rights website Resolver named JFK airport in New York as the world’s worst.
Glasgow came in at sixth place and was the highest ranked UK and European airport for complaints.
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