New Airport security equipment being repaired after launch chaos

Thursday 27 July 2023

Ports of Jersey has apologised after a "technical issue" with one of Jersey Airport's new security scanners led to waits of up to one hour for departing passengers on Thursday morning.

The new X-ray scanners – which allows liquids up to two litres in hand luggage and no longer requires passengers to remove electronic devices from their bags – went live at Jersey Airport yesterday morning.

However, today passengers reported that they had been obliged to queue for over an hour, whilst others said that they had been forced to leave liquid containers of above 100ml, which could have been scanned had the new equipment been working.

A number of flights were also delayed to allow passengers extra time to clear security.

Pictured: Large queues snaking back into the departures hall.

Ports of Jersey has since apologised for the inconvenience, and confirmed that repairs are due to be completed by the end of today.

A spokesperson said: "We apologise for any inconvenience caused by a technical issue with one of the new X-Ray machines. Specialist engineers from the company that installed the machines are on site and are due to complete repairs by the end of today.

"A queue did build up this morning and there were some delays to flights to allow passengers to clear Security, but that has now cleared."

Video: The new scanners at Jersey Airport went live yesterday.

The spokesperson added: "We will retain the previous technology as contingency to provide resilience while the new system beds in and passengers will be advised which X-ray machine to use, depending on what they are carrying in their hand luggage."

The scanners are part of a £3million improvement project at the airport, with the new technology also set to be brought in at other airports in the British Isles by June 2024.