There’s something just inexplicably fantastic about going to the airport.
It’s a mixture of elements: the excitement of going on holiday. The thrill of wearing your new holiday clothes. The 5am pint in Wetherspoons and the haze of perfume in Duty Free, to name but a few.
While flights are back up and running and more Brummies are getting ready to go abroad for what feels like the first time in decades, Birmingham Airport is finally getting foot-fall after a difficult 16 months.
Read more: Jet2, Tui, Ryanair, British Airways and easyJet – Covid test and travel advice
But just because Freedom Day has been and gone, and holidays are once again on the horizon, that doesn’t mean things are back to how they were before at Birmingham Airport.
Many things are the same – friends and family are allowed to come and see you off (and welcome you back) and security will still frisk you by hand if they need to double check you’re safe.
Water fountains are still in operation, trolleys are still available and there are staffed check-in desks so you can safely speak to a human for advice or support.
But others are different. Here are the changes you’ll need to know about before you visit:
1) You have to wear a mask
It’s not up to you whether you wear your mask – it is mandatory that you wear one (unless you’re exempt) in the terminal landside areas, in World Duty Free, during the entire arrivals process after you’ve disembarked and on all airport buses.
You also need to wear your mask in security, and even if you need to be frisked, security staff will wear gloves and visors.
In all other indoor spaces, the airport is ‘strongly recommending’ you stay masked up.
Social distancing is encouraged but the airport will be much busier so, it might be difficult. That’s why it’s recommending you wear your mask and use the sanitiser stations throughout the airport.
2) The smoking area is closed inside
If you need a cigarette, you won’t be able to have one once you pass through security -…