Police and transport staff will be drafted in to help the situation at Manchester Airport, while passengers will get the option to check-in their bags the night before their flight as part of a new action plan to solve a staffing crisis.
In a statement which criticises Manchester Airport for acting too late on recruitment, insufficient communication to passengers and queue management, Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, has revealed measures to ease the ongoing crisis. He also warned that 'disruption', caused mainly by a staff shortage, was expected to continue for 'two months'.
Greater Manchester's councils are majority shareholders in Manchester Airports Group (MAG), but the day-to-day operation is usually outside the remit of both the town halls and the Mayor's office. However, Mr Burnham said they would 'work to support them in any way they can' until they have resolved the issues caused by Covid-19, the Manchester Evening News reports.
Read More: Passengers abandoning their luggage due to chaos at Manchester Airport
Mr Burnham said these measures would include an increased police presence at the airport hub, while transport staff from the local bus and tram network would be drafted in to help with 'queue management and communication'.
Amid long waits for Home Office security clearance for new recruits, the mayor said he would also write to the Minister for Security and Borders asking if airports including Manchester could be prioritised. This could mean that the 220 staff currently waiting to start at the Manchester hub could be in action sooner.
The plan also includes:
- Increased overtime and more temporary staff
- More staff to 'organise' passengers passing through the airport
- Better information for queuing passengers and 'steps' to look after the welfare of those waiting for a long time
- More real-time information on security queues to be published on the Manchester Airport website
- Some airlines to offer bag check-in the night before flights if they are booked on an early service.
In a statement following a meeting with the senior management team at Manchester Airport, Mr Burnham said: "Sadly, the disruption is not going to disappear overnight and this advice will have to be in place for the foreseeable future. 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."
Mr Burnham said some of the pressure had arisen from 'the decision Manchester Airport has taken to protect people’s holidays and trips and avoid cancellations as other airports have done'. He added: "Like everyone, I have been concerned to see some of the scenes at Manchester Airport over recent times.
"Many passengers have faced an unacceptable experience and it is important that every possible step is taken to prevent a repeat. People preparing to travel are understandably worried and there is a need for the clearest possible advice before they do.
"All airports 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. Yesterday I met with the senior management of Manchester Airport to get a clearer understanding of the current situation.
"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."
Mr Burnham said the public need clearer advice, and that anyone travelling in the coming days should:
- Arrive at the airport three hours before their flight
- Check baggage into the hold in advance if possible
- Try to minimise hand luggage and ensure it is correctly packed before leaving home
Manchester City Council has also issued a statement outlining its plan to help with the airport's recovery. Councillor Bev Craig, leader of Manchester City council, confirmed that they have been ‘supporting and working closely’ with hub and it's understood that the council’s HR department has been enlisted to assist with administrational tasks.
On Wednesday, following the resignation of the airport's managing director Karen Smart, Coun Craig said: “Manchester Airport is the gateway to our city and is key to our recovery from the pandemic. Because of this, we want Manchester people to have positive experiences at the Airport.
"Across the UK, airports and the aviation industry have seen significant challenges and we want to ensure that Manchester’s recovery is secured. We are in close touch with the airport management and as a council have been giving support where they have requested it, particularly in helping speed up recruitment to some key roles.
A Manchester Airport spokesman said: “We have met with a range of stakeholders to discuss our recovery from the pandemic. This includes the Mayor of Greater Manchester and representatives of Manchester City Council, and we are grateful of their ongoing support with our response to the challenges we are facing."
