Bournemouth Airport is “well prepared” for one of the busiest periods in its history and has hired dozens more staff to cope with demand.

Currently employing 280 staff, around 50 more than last summer, the airport’s managing director has said previous issues with baggage handling and security have been resolved.

Earlier this month, a problem with a baggage handling system caused “absolutely crazy” delays for passengers.

The airport said this had a knock-on impact on “security processing capability, for which [it was] sincerely sorry”.

Bournemouth Echo: Bournemouth Airport. Picture by Stephen BathBournemouth Airport. Picture by Stephen Bath (Image: Stephen Bath)

However, managing director Steve Gill told the Echo he believes the airport is now well poised to run efficiently for the remainder of the summer period.

He said: “Our summer season is now in full swing with 35 destinations in 18 countries for 2023/4, including 120 more flights a week with Ryanair thanks to a second aircraft based at Bournemouth this summer which means Ryanair has 19 destinations in total including new flights to Carcassonne, Edinburgh and Venice.

“TUI has 14 destinations this year and has already announced a 33 per cent increase in capacity next summer with a second aircraft, greater frequency and a new route to Tunisia. So the airport continues to go from strength to strength.

Bournemouth Echo: Bournemouth Airport managing director Steve GillBournemouth Airport managing director Steve Gill

“To cope with the busy summer we have already recruited across a variety of roles and currently employ 280 staff and we have invested in expanding and upgrading our car parking facilities, so we feel we are well prepared.

“We did have an issue earlier this month with some baggage handling equipment which caused delays over one weekend but that has been resolved.”

As of mid-June this year, 15 arrests have been made at Bournemouth Airport – three for theft offences – a Freedom of Information request to Dorset Police reveals.

This is compared to 38 arrests recorded throughout 2022. Both, however, are far removed from the 81 arrests made at the airport in 2018.

Mr Gill added: “We very much look forward to welcoming passengers to Bournemouth Airport this summer and providing even more choice from their local airport.”