There are more reports of queuing chaos at Manchester Airport this morning — with passengers saying lines are stretching out of the terminal building.
Multiple passengers have taken to Twitter this morning to report the problems, which have played havoc with many holidaymakers’ plans this year. On Monday (May 9), more issues were being reported by those seeking to make a getaway.
“Chaos at [Manchester Airport] this morning,” Twitter user AmiA said. “Queue for security is outside in the drop off area. Then snaking inside before you are even near the gate for security.”
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AmiA also took to the social media platform to ask if there were further queues at the bag drop desk for her airline.
Jonathan Allan, who was leaving from terminal three this morning, said the issue was ‘an absolutely appalling experience’. He went on to say he would not be flying from the airport again.
And another user known as Jambags continued: “Luckily I didn’t listen to [EasyJet’s]TWO HOUR advice which [Manchester Airport] tell us to follow! Arrived at 4am, currently stood in a security queue OUTSIDE the terminal still. It’s 5:45am!”
Martin Overton also complained about the queue for security. He said: “[The airport] is an absolute shambles today. Security queues are unbelievable.”
Last week, Airport management said passengers should aim to arrive three hours before their flight — which was described as not being too early nor too late. That was in an effort to reduce ‘extra queues’, a statement said.
An airport spokesperson said: “The airport is continuing to advise customers to arrive three hours before their flights, and to ensure they are up-to-speed with the latest rules about what can be carried in hand luggage. At the same time, the airport is also asking passengers not to arrive earlier than this because it can lead to extra queues, and check-in and security facilities may not be open.”
Hub bosses said last week they are now on the road to recovery ahead of the summer months, with more than 1,600 applicants having applied for jobs at the airport in April alone, with 550 recruits on the floor since January, and 500 new starters currently going through vetting and security training. A further 200 workers are expected to join the operation in May, enabling management to open more security lanes in peak periods, and 'improve customer service'.
Despite ongoing complaints from passengers, bosses insist security waiting times are improving, with '90 per cent' of passengers getting through in less than 30 minutes over the last fortnight, up from 78pc in the first two weeks of April.
Ian Costigan, Interim Managing Director of Manchester Airport, said: "We want to make sure that customers get away on their travels, so everyone at Manchester Airport is focused on bringing in the extra resources we need to continue operating our full flight schedule.
"It is encouraging to see new staff joining us as a result of our ongoing recruitment drive, and we have seen security waiting times reduce in recent weeks. The last few weeks have been challenging but the team on the ground has done a great job in getting passengers through security more quickly, and I would like to thank all colleagues for their hard work and dedication.
“As we continue to recover, we are reminding customers to arrive at the airport three hours before their flight and to ensure they are familiar with all security rules. 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 that security queues may be longer at peak times."
