MANCHESTER Airport has apologised to passengers following long delays and disruption.

Frustrated passengers have described chaotic scenes as they had to queue for hours.

Hundreds of travellers were left waiting outside last week due to long queues for security.

The airport said staff shortages had left them struggling as the demand for international travel increases.

Some passengers were stuck on a plane for almost an hour after it landed on Sunday.

Other travellers waited two hours to claim their baggage.

A spokesperson for Manchester Airport said: “We want to apologise to all customers who have been impacted by queues recently.

"We are experiencing staff shortages as we - and the rest of our industry - work hard to keep pace with a significant surge in demand for travel after the removal of restrictions in recent weeks.

 

“There has been a large increase in passenger numbers following the start of the travel industry’s summer season, and the situation has been exacerbated by a significant spike in Covid-related sickness in recent days.

“We are doing all we can to recruit the number of colleagues we need to support the remobilisation of our operations after the biggest crisis our industry has ever faced.

"Customers are advised to arrive at the earliest time their airline allows them to check-in and to ensure they are familiar with the latest rules around what they can and can’t carry through security.

“We would like to thank all our teams for their dedication during these challenging times and, once again, apologise to passengers impacted by delays.”

Passengers are reminded to make sure they check the rules on what can be carried in hand luggage.

A much higher proportion of bags have required extra screening in recent weeks because items have been packed that cannot be taken through.

This has exacerbated the long queues.

An airport spokesman added: “With many passengers not having flown since before the pandemic, it’s natural that they may be less familiar with these rules – which is why we’re asking passengers to reacquaint themselves with what they can and can’t take through, and double-check what they’ve packed in hand luggage.”