Manchester and Heathrow Airports and the Port of Dover complained of massive delays over the weekend. Some of them accused the establishments of being “grossly understaffed” although the management of the airports pointed to several other factors, which they claimed to have contributed to the situation.
Many travellers took to social media to air their frustration over problems with the e-gate passport checkpoints as well as staff shortages at the airports. Some of them said they had waited hours to check in, as a spokesperson for Heathrow Airport apologised for the inconvenience. “Due to high passenger volumes and the COVID documentation checks still required by many end destinations, Terminal 2 departures has experienced some congestion today,” the spokesperson said. “Our teams are supporting our airline partners to get passengers away on their journeys as quickly as possible and we apologise for any inconvenience this has caused.”
Meanwhile, massive delays were also reported at Manchester Airport, with one social media user, Jane Gilham, describing it as an “absolute disgrace”. “It was dangerous today, people will get hurt if you do not improve things,” she added. “Stood in a slow moving queue of literally thousands of people at Manchester Airport waiting to go thru security,” another traveller said on Twitter on Sunday (3 April). “This airport is a joke.”
A social media user identified as Paul revealed that the Airport was understaffed, thereby causing major delays for passengers. “…disgusting service at terminal two, had to stay on the plane captain told no where to park up for 30mis, no luggage handlers at all had to wait a further 2hrs. The police doing your job as you were grossly under staffed!” he tweeted.
Commenting on the situation, staff working at the airport told the Manchester Evening News: “We just can’t handle the workload. It’s very understaffed at the moment, things are diabolical.” The employee who did not wish to be identified added: “The entire work environment is shocking. A lot of people were furloughed and made redundant.”
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Manchester Airport apologised to travellers who were affected by the situation. “As we recover from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, our whole industry is facing staff shortages and recruitment challenges. As a result we are advising customers that security queues may be longer than usual, and we encourage them to arrive at the earliest time recommended by their airline,” the spokesperson told Metro.co.uk.
As of Sunday afternoon, traffic near the Port of Dover was said to be “free flowing”, after the travellers slogged through hours of delays and gridlock.
