BOSSES at Southampton Airport have promised business as usual amid fears staff shortages could spark “gridlock” at Britain’s terminals over Easter.

Airlines have warned that hundreds of thousands of passengers will face delays this long weekend due to a lack of UK Border Agency workers able to carry out security checks.

They have called for a recruitment drive or the relaxing of some of the more stringent security measures in place.

But despite an expected surge in the number of passengers travelling to and from Southampton this Easter, managers at the airport say departure and arrivals halls will be functioning as normal.

A spokesman said: “Passengers returning to the UK into Southampton can expect business as usual regarding processing by Border Force.

“Southampton Airport is expecting a busy Easter weekend with many people heading off to visit friends and relatives or to find some sunshine.”

Meanwhile tens of thousands are expected to take to the roads around Hampshire later today and tomorrow morning for the great Easter getaway.

Rail operators are also bracing themselves for an increase in demand.