Retired airport staff returning to prevent holiday queuing chaos

FORMER airport staff are set to return to work at East Midlands Airport this summer in a bid to make sure it avoids the scenes of chaos seen at other airports across the country.

Airline passengers have been hit by cancellations and long delays at other airports for several months.

East Midlands Airport has managed to avoid major disruption so far – and is keen to make sure it stays that way.

It has drafted in a number of retired airport police officers and air traffic controllers to work there again as thousands of extra passengers are expected to move through the terminals again this summer.

Those persuaded to come out of retirement are not returning to their old jobs but will work as volunteers, patrolling the terminal to answer passengers’ questions and help them where needed.

The network of volunteers, called Friends of EMA, will also be joined by students from the International Air and Space Training Institute in Newark, in a bid to keep queues to a minimum.

This time last year only around 600 to 700 passengers were moving through EMA as the tourism induscially try continued to struggle in the wake of pandemic. Now restrictions have been lifted and people are clamouring for holidays abroad again, around 15,000 passengers are flying from the airport in Castle Donington every day. Michael Grimes, EMA’S director of customer services and security, said: “We want our passengers to have the best possible start to their trips and holidays.

“I know, for some people, that airports can be daunting places, espefor those who haven’t travelled for a while or are not regular flyers.

“We are doing everything we can to help passengers relax and enjoy what is an exciting part of the holiday.”

He added: “As part of our commitment to educating and upskilling people of all ages to give them the best opportunity of securing work with us, it’s great to extend an offer to young people who have a passion for aviation.

“I very much look forward to mentoring and supporting our new team of eight cadets. I’m delighted, too, that former colleagues want to help and support. It’s great to welcome them back.”

VOLUNTEERS AND CADETS TO HELP GUIDE PASSENGERS

I’m delighted that former colleagues want to help and support. It’s great to welcome them back