Security delays expected at Guernsey Airport

Monday 24 September 2018

With technical problems continuing, Guernsey Airport has forewarned passengers of delays moving through security today and tomorrow.

Airport managers said engineers were contacted yesterday so they could start working to fix the problems immediately.

The hold baggage screening equipment is affected with contingency plans in place so that checked in bags can still be security checked.

However, Guernsey Airport said this means only one security lane will be in operation until the equipment is fixed, as the other one will be used in that contingency plan to maintain security levels.

While additional staff will be on duty today and tomorrow to cope with the increased demand in the security screening area some delays moving through the queues are expected.

Airport staff, including the Aurigny check-in team and G4S security staff, were all asked to start work earlier than usual at 05:45 today to make sure everything was in place, ready to process the ‘red eye’ flights.

Head of Aviation Services at Guernsey Airport Ash Nicholas said that plan worked with no flights affected by delays.

“This mornings operation to deal with the breakdown of the hold baggage X-ray screening was executed very well, proving our contingency plans were effective. I’m pleased passengers heeded the warnings of possible delays in being security screened via our social media posts and responded very well and arrived earlier than normal for today’s ‘red-eye’flights. As a result no delays to their journey occurred.

"32 passengers to Manchester, and 67 to London Gatwick were processed before 06:00 despite the baggage X-ray machine being out of action. Engineers are due in Guernsey early tomorrow morning to fix the issues with the machines. The contingency plan will therefore remain in place until the technical issues have been resolved. Passengers due to travel out of Guernsey tonight and tomorrow should allow plenty of time to check in and clear security, and they should follow Guernsey Airport on Facebook and Twitter for the latest updates and changes.”

Guernsey Airport said it would like to thank "passengers, business partners, airlines, and all other parties involved in this morning’s issue with our X-ray hold baggage machine which suffered from technical problems since Sunday 23 September" and also thanked them in advance for working with staff again tomorrow too to avoid any future issues. 

Pictured: One of Aurigny's planes. 

Aurigny is advising passengers to check in early again tomorrow, from 05:30 for the first Gatwick and Manchester flights.