Gatwick apologises after holidaymakers caught in queues

Huge crowds queued to get through security at Gatwick's South Terminal, with some taking to Twitter to vent their frustration.

Stand-up comedian Joanne McNally was among those stuck in the lines of travellers and said it was “so insanely long that I’m confident my passport will have expired by the time I get on the plane”.

Security queue in @Gatwick_Airport is so insanely long that I’m confident my passport will have expired by the time I get on the plane, If planes still even exist by then 🤮

— Joanne McNally (@jomcnally) May 23, 2022

A Gatwick spokesman said that passengers had been held back in a queueing system.

He said: “The queue is moving and we are working hard to reduce and remove it completely as quickly as possible.

“Gatwick Airport would like to apologise to any passengers who have been impacted by this.”

Wait times for security are now currently around half an hour, after initial reports that queues were stretching for as long as an hour.

Wait times in queues have now been reduced to half an hour

The spokesman said the airport is expected to be busy throughout the summer, with passengers advised to arrive as soon as check-in opens for their flight.

Some EasyJet passengers flying today received emails from the airline advising them to arrive at the airport two and a half hours before their flight, due to the prospect of delays at security.

An email seen by The Argus said: “There may be delays at the airport security control before your flight and we recommend that you arrive at Gatwick Airport two and a half hours before your flight time.

“Please have your bags ready before you go through security, making sure any liquids are in a see-through and resealable bag and that electronic items are carried separately.”