Leaving Airport Departure area

abc123456

I am enquiring as to whether it is permissible to leave the Departures area of an airport (ie after Security) and return to the check-in area, then re-enter Departures again (having undergone Security again).
I ask this as a relative is booked into an Executive Lounge airside during a stop-over of a few hours, but would require to leave after 2 hours to pick up an item being delivered to the main terminal area (landside).
Any thoughts?

stoneman

I have done this before, and have seen people doing it to go outside and have a smoke.

ponymad_3

I really did nt think you could do this if your in transit you re in transit and have cleared security.. But may be I m wrong. I am sure there are signs in security saying you cannot go back thro ... I think this is because you could leave baggage and walk out and they would not know where you are - ie you could be anywhere.

I once neede to post an urgent letter and was not allowed back thro even tho I had been there only a min

bcl999

Wouldn't the person be regarded as "in transit", assuming it is a continuous journey. (If it's 2 seperate journies, then he/she would need to clear Arrivals anyway and then check-in for the next flight.) I think there are specific rules about transits. I have afriend who spent 24hrs in the transit lounge as they were not allowed out. Mind you, that was Moscow when it was still USSR.

Suggest you check with airline and/or relevant country immigaration dept.

bcl999

Sorry ponymad I was typing reply when you posted so have duplicated a little.

moonrakerz

I've done this several times at Heathrow, never had a problem.

Cardozo

Yes you can do this as long as you have your boarding card for the 2nd flight in your hand.

alanrowell

Does your relative need a visa to enter the country as in order to get landside they'll may need to pass through immigration

abc123456

alanrowell wrote: »

Does your relative need a visa to enter the country as in order to get landside they'll may need to pass through immigration

No, its my mum, she`s a UK citizen and the flight she would enter the airport from is a domestic one.
This evening, I actually emailed the airport concerned directly and received a reply that, on entering the Departures area, the boarding pass becomes null and void for re-entering and she would have to have a duplicate produced by the airline.
As she is flying onward with Ryanair, she could have as many copies of her boarding pass as she likes as it comes as a pdf file after online check-in. I have emailed the airport (Stansted) back re this but as yet have had no reply.

stoneman

I think once they have scanned that card it would be void in any form if used again. You did the right thing in contacting them as it is apparent that there are different rules at airports

fifeken

I did exactly what you describe at Stansted a while back when I went to see off some pax at one departure area, then found I couldn't get back to the central area where the shops etc are to then go to my own departure area (I think they are called satellites at Stansted).
I managed to do it, but it was a lot of hassle as when I initially couldn't get back from the first satellite, security had to escort me and drive me to another area, then when I went to go through the security check again my boarding card was scanned and they refused me entry as it showed I'd already been through. I then got another boarding card printed and made it through.
So it can be done, but it's a bit of a hassle.