Southampton Airport has vacancies for eight additional security staff and although it has been inundated with applicants it has been unable to fill the roles.
It says the problem is one of sex.
The airport is in need of additional female security officers to search female passengers, whereas the majority of those applying so far have been men.
Head of security, Simon Young, said, "We always have far more men than women applying for security roles, but as we have a legal requirement to have female officers searching female passengers, it’s vital to the smooth running of the airport that we have a good balance."
Applicants need no prior security experience for the jobs, which start at the end of October. Application forms are available at www.southamptonairport.co.uk/jobs.
