Security checks for new airport bag handlers are being fast-tracked in an attempt to save passengers' getaways this summer.
Airport staff shortages worsened by a new wave of Covid mean that travellers have suffered months of severe delays, cancellations and lost luggage. More scrapped flights are set to be announced within days as Ryanair and easyJet crews are striking in Spain and Europe over the weekend, reports the Mirror.
An industry insider said: “Getting enough staff in the right places is our best, and last, hope to save summer holidays.” Tensions have been rising as we approach the end of the school year and the summer holiday break.
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Airlines have cut 611 flights from their July 1-7 schedule over the past month, data company Cirium found. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has said counter-terror clearance has been reduced from 20 days in March to 10 – and airside aviation staff are at the top of the queue for suitability checks by police and MI5. They include baggage X-ray screeners, coach drivers and maintenance crews.
Mr Shapps said: “The Government is doing its bit to help deliver for passengers. Now the industry must fulfil its responsibilities. People have made huge sacrifices during the pandemic and deserve their flights to run on time without being cancelled last minute.”
Staff will be able to receive training while waiting for security clearance or references from previous employers and HMRC employment letters will suffice for grounds of employment. Airports and airlines have been blamed for flight disruption as they took government grants while cutting jobs when planes were grounded by Covid curbs.
Unite boss Sharon Graham said: “Our money was handed over to firms without any strings attached. They did not protect jobs. Many just used public money to prop up their share price.”
British Airways cut as many as 10,000 staff members and is now trying to entice ground handlers back to the company with £1,000 incentives. Mr Shapps is eager to avoid a repeat of Easter’s airport chaos, when flights were cancelled at the last minute, and has told airlines that if they are scrapping services, they must do so in good time.
On Saturday (July 2), the new managing director of Manchester Airport said he was working to address the woes but is “not there yet”.
Chris Woodroofe, who took on the role two weeks ago, said: “Passengers won’t have the sort of experience they had in 2019 this summer but my priority is to get them on their way so they get to have their holidays.”
Celebrity hairstylist Michael Charalambous faced a 28-hour delay as he travelled from Luton to Larnaca in Cyprus, for a family wedding this week. His Wizz flight was due to leave on Thursday morning but did not depart until Friday evening.
He told the Sunday People: “It was just awful, no one was there to give us any answers. All the hotels were full so we had to sleep on the airport floor, it was filthy, people were in tears. They gave us a £4 voucher to buy food, but that wasn’t enough for the cheapest sandwich.”
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