BRITISH holidaymakers could face huge queues at a popular European airport this summer.
The boss of Malta International Airport, Alan Borg, has told passengers to expect long lines at the airport amid rising tourist numbers.
The number of tourists flocking to Malta from the UK and Europe has been steadily increasing since Covid-19 restrictions eased.
According to the Times of Malta, the airport is seeing “staggering numbers” of passengers, which are pushing the airport to “extreme limits” as the peak summer season gets underway.
Airport boss Alan Borg told the newspaper: “Queues are to be anticipated. Passengers are therefore advised to check in online if possible and not to arrive more than two hours before departure.”
Improvement work is currently underway at the airport, with areas being built to accommodate the new EU border controls.
A dedicated seating area for arrivals from outside the Schengen Area is also being built.
Additional space is also being built to increase the standing aircraft capacity at Malta International Airport.
Borg added: “[Passengers will] hardly realise there is any development going on at all.
“Although it’s hard for me to promise there will be no issues – because we are operating at our extreme limits – I feel we are well-equipped to face the summer operation.”
Malta International Airport has handled a record number of passengers so far this year.
Several airlines have increased their services to the Mediterranean island, with other operators adding new routes for 2024.
This has resulted in a huge increase in the number of flights, with the airport boss adding: “We have at least 14 new connections coming online, including to existing destinations.”
Last year, Malta International Airport served 7.8million passengers, which was a national record for the country.
In 2024, the airport hoped to welcome around 8million passengers – although it is expected to exceed this figure based on current levels.
Malta International Airport isn’t the only European travel hub that’s seen lengthy queues in recent weeks.
Passengers at Alicante Airport faced massive two-hour queues for cabs last week.
The airport was overwhelmed by enormous delays, which meant the number of passengers waiting for taxis increased dramatically, with 200 people waiting for a cab earlier this month.
The waits were longer late at night, with the airport currently seeing 182 flights land between 11pm and 1.15am each week.
Spain‘s Ministry for Transport will be meeting with local councils and taxi operators to find a solution.
Queues are to be anticipated
Lengthy queues were also seen at Birmingham International Airport amid confusion over hand luggage rules.
Pictures and videos released online showed passengers waiting for hours to get through security.
New 3D baggage scanners had been installed at the airport, enabling travellers to carry liquids of up to two litres in their bags.
But restrictions on the way the scanners could be used sparked confusion over rules at security – leading to long queues.
The chaos meant people turned up three hours early for their flight only to find themselves stuck in long lines at security.
Holidaymakers were left queuing outside the departure check-in areas before even reaching the security hall.
What are the passport rules?
The Sun’s Head of Travel Lisa Minot has explained exactly what Brits need to know.
“Travellers used to be able to roll over up to nine unused months from their old passport onto a new one.
“But post-Brexit, anyone wanting to travel to the EU can no longer rely on those extra months.
“In order to travel to the EU, all passports must be no more than 10 years old on the day you arrive in your European destination.
“And you’ll need at least three months on your passport on the day you head back to the UK.
“Figures have shown up to 100,000 holidaymakers a year face being turned away at airports if their passport is more than 10 years old.
“The 10-year rule only applies to countries in the European Union but every country may have different rules on what is accepted – some countries like South Africa, for example, insist you have at least six months left on your passport when you travel and a full clear page.”
Meanwhile, this airport has warned passengers to keep to strict luggage rules despite having the new scanners in place.
And this airport security guard revealed the mistakes that get passengers held up most frequently.