New air farce as travellers are just waved through at security desks

went through passport control “very quickly”. At Malaga airport, passengers queued for about 15 minutes at three manned police booths before boarding return flights. In some cases, officers had sent them on their way without looking properly at their passports. Deborah Hughes – travelling back to Glasgow with husband Kevin and children Izzy, eight, Spencer, six and baby Murray on a noon flight – said: “We got here at 9am because we’d been hearing about the problems but it’s been OK.” Holidaymakers flying in experienced similar checks. Phil Dixon, 65, from Leeds, said: “I set off 45 minutes earlier than normal expecting problems but there’s been none. The police only had a quick look at my passport.” And Lynn Austin, 49, of Southend, Essex, claimed her photo was not checked by police, adding: “I could have been anybody.” Aage Duenhaupt of trade association Airlines for Europe could not say if it was due to a U-turn by airport operators.

He added: “It’s a positive surprise if there are no queues.

“For us it is important that passengers have hassle-free travel.”

But strike action at Barcelona airport means holidaymakers will face the prospect of disruption today as staff stage a one-hour strike. It comes after talks to settle a dispute between bosses and security staff broke down.

Passengers have been warned they are unlikely to get compensation for missing flights due to added security as airlines can claim the delays were outside their control.

Consumer champions say airline and airport bosses should do more to help families by providing better information and food and water.

Martyn James, of website Resolver, said: “It’s clear that airlines and airports need to work together to provide clear guidance and information for people stuck airside.”