IAN Rankin has branded Edinburgh Airport security “embarrassing” after he was caught in a lengthy queue.
The bestselling Scots author complained about the airport’s “overrun” system after he found himself delayed at 7.30am yesterday.
The airport is currently trialling a new £25m security hall alongside their existing one.
This involves an “airlock system” – letting some passengers through the new lounge, then closing the doors to allow other passengers through the old one.
Rankin tweeted: “One x-ray machine in use at 7:30am.
Having to lock passengers out because you’re overrun? Embarassing.”
Followers were quick to agree with his sentiments.
Jourdan McC replied: “Been going on for a few weeks. Total disaster! Has convinced me back to trains.”
Chris Hill added: “This happened the last time I took an early flight. Dozens of people stood in the corridor for no reason. Joke airport.”
Rankin is one of several people who have criticized the airport’s lengthy security process.
Edinburgh West MP Mike Crockart said on Monday: “Shiny new security system looks lovely. Unfortunately takes ten times as long to get through.”
One user who goes by the name ‘alnya’ said: “We went through their new security bit last week. Took forever due to lots of faffing.”
A picture uploaded to social media shows that queues have been a problem for some time.
The photograph, uploaded early last month by comedian Rory Bremner (above), shows a long line of people with the caption “Edinburgh Airport enters ‘longest security queue’ contest. 100 yards plus. Maybe a record.”
One customer review posted online on November 14th describes how a passenger missed their flight due to queuing at security.
‘C Williams’ wrote on Skytrax: “Despite being over an hour early for my flight, and only needing to go through security, I missed my plane. Edinburgh security used to be a dream. Now it’s a nightmare.”
The new security facility is one and a half times larger than the current hall, and incorporates facial recognition and new hand luggage scanners. The next development involves transforming the existent security hall into duty free shopping.
The busy airport had a record-breaking summer, with more than 1.1 million passengers passing through the terminals in July alone. The new security system has promised to “minimise the hassle and drastically cut queuing, potentially eliminating it altogether.”
Edinburgh Airport was quick to respond to Mr Rankin’s tweet. They replied: “We’re currently testing our new security hall and running two halls. We have an airlock process so we can do that safely.”
They added: “We’re not locking anyone out. Sorry your experience was not what you’re used to. We’ll be fully operational in the new hall soon.”
A spokesman for Edinburgh Airport said: “We’re currently in the process of transitioning between our old and new security halls. As a result of this, some passengers have experienced a slightly longer security process than we would like.
“Passengers are not being locked out of either security hall. This is an air-lock process to allow us to run both areas safely.
“We’re working hard to ensure our security system works as efficiently as possible. We apologise if this has caused an inconvenience to our passengers and thank them for their continued patience.”
An online blog written last month by John Watson, chief commercial officer at Edinburgh Airport, says: “For the most part, trials have been going very well and we’re on course to be officially opening and transitioning from the existing hall soon.
“That said, we are grateful for the patience of our passengers, especially our regular ones, for the times we have had to manage technical teething issues.
“I know the security team feel similarly frustrated but we all know that creating a security system of this level of passenger benefit will come with a few early learning problems.”
