Airport chaos
Passengers miss flights after staff issues cause huge queues
PASSENGERS faced chaos at airports yesterday with some missing flights due to huge queues sparked by staff shortages.
A number of fliers in Manchester were left in tears at security delays as huge lines snaked outside terminals.
There were also major logjams at Birmingham Airport for people hoping to fly out – but at Stansted it was returning passengers who faced delays.
In Manchester, regular flier Ben Leather said he had “never seen it this bad” and urged people to leave plenty of time to get through security.
He added: “Feel sorry for the overworked staff who clearly just don’t have the numbers to cope with the passenger load at the moment.”
One woman branded the delays an “absolute disgrace” after fliers were snapped in long queues at 4.30am.
She said: “My sister is in tears after missing her flight because of security.
“Begged security staff to fast-track her through as her gate was closing.” There has been mayhem at many UK airports over the last month as Covid surges sparked staff absences.
Airlines and airports were already struggling to recruit workers who deserted the industry during the pandemic.
Manchester Airport said fliers should arrive three hours before departure to avoid delays.
Last week, the airport said it was recovering, with more than 1,600 job applicants last month. Some 550 recruits have started since January and 500 more are in training. A further 200 are set to join this month.
Ian Costigan, interim managing director of Manchester Airport, said: “It is encouraging to see new staff joining us and we have seen security waiting times reduce in recent weeks.
“While the majority of people will get through security in less than 30 minutes, customers need to allow time for check-in and the possibility security queues may be longer at peak times.”
Travellers at Birmingham Airport shared photographs of long queues outside the main terminal door.
Lee Griffiths said: “Total shambles. Not all baggage lines working.”
Birmingham Airport added: “Half of the 15,000 customers flying out of BHX today were booked to depart in our busy dawn peak, so we took the decision to run security queues outside the terminal to avoid them getting tangled with check-in lines.”
At Stansted Airport in Essex, returning travellers faced two-hour queues at passport control where electronic gates were not working properly.
The airport said these were operated by the Border Force. The Home Office were approached for comment.
s.white@mirror.co.uk
My sister is in tears at missing her flight because of security
WOMAN ON DELAYS AT MANCHESTER AIRPORT