Greater Manchester’s Mayor Andy Burnham who met with Manchester Airport’s management yesterday says that some of the issues being experienced by Manchester Airport are beyond their control.
The Mayor said that many passengers have faced an unacceptable experience and it is important that every possible step is taken to prevent a repeat.
All airports,he added, have struggled to one extent or another with lengthy queues caused by staffing issues arising from the pandemic. But it is clear that Manchester has faced particular challenges.
Some of the issues being experienced by Manchester Airport are beyond their control.
However, that is not to say that other things could not have been done differently.
Firstly, while the airport has been making strenuous efforts to recruit, more should have been done earlier.
Secondly, communications to passengers ahead of and upon arrival should have been better, as should the management of the queues.
However, it is important to acknowledge that some of the pressure arises from the decision Manchester Airport has taken to protect people’s holidays and trips and avoid cancellations as other airports have done.
For that approach to continue the public need much clearer advice about what is being asked of them.
While the airport expects that there will be some disruption for the next two months, I want people to be reassured that the airport, supported by colleagues in Greater Manchester, are putting in measures to ease it.
First, to reduce pressure at security the airport management are increasing use of overtime and bringing in temporary staff.
Second, additional staff are being engaged to help organise the large numbers of people passing through the airport and better information will be provided to passengers who are queuing, as well as steps to look after the welfare of those experiencing long queue times.
Third, more real-time information on security queues will be published on the Manchester Airport website and some airlines are starting to offer passengers the ability to check in their bags the night before if they are taking an early flight.
The Mayor said that he has also looked at what more we can do at a Greater Manchester level to ease the pressure.
Manchester Airport are making huge efforts to recruit staff, but one of the issues they are facing is the length of time it is taking for security checks to be completed.
220 staff have been recruited and are currently awaiting clearance but the process is taking longer than usual.
Burnham has said that he is writing to the Minister for Security and Borders asking if large airports, such as Manchester, which are experiencing longer-waits for vetting, could be prioritised for a period to speed up the process.
To those travelling in the coming days and weeks this is the clear advice from the airport:
Arrive at the airport 3 hours before your flight.
Check your baggage into the hold in advance if possible.
If you have to carry hand luggage please try to minimise it and ensure it is correctly packed before you leave home.
Sadly, the disruption is not going to disappear overnight and this advice will have to be in place for the foreseeable future.
