Airlines are struggling to recruit and train enough staff to cope with the increased demand for travel
British Airways has cancelled 78 flights scheduled to go to or from Heathrow Airport on Wednesday, four of them a result of staff absences.
EasyJet, which is also grappling with higher than usual rates of staff sickness because of Covid-19, axed at least 30 flights from its schedule from Gatwick Airport on Wednesday.
The mass cancellations came as staff shortages because of Covid and issues with rehiring continue to blight the travel industry as it recovers from the pandemic, causing chaos at UK airports. Manchester Airport’s boss stepped down on Tuesday after days of harsh criticism over long queues.
Last week BA cancelled many of its flights after a decision to reduce its schedule until the end of May to boost reliability, as well as routes suspended for several months because of ongoing Covid restrictions in some destinations.
Passengers at Heathrow have for weeks faced longer than normal queueing times as a result of staff shortages, problems with e-gates for passport scanning, and flight cancellations.
Many airlines, which laid off vast numbers of staff at the beginning of the coronavirus crisis, are racing to recruit, train and get security clearances for new employees in time for the busy summer season.
Manchester Airport was hit by upheaval in the travel industry in recent weeks, with the problems worsening in recent days as families head off on holidays for the Easter break.
Passengers faced long delays and chaotic scenes, with queues trailing outside terminals to reach check-in and hordes of people waiting to get through security and to pick up luggage. Piles of suitcases were left in terminals after travellers abandoned the wait to reclaim their baggage and opted instead to go home.
The airport is short staffed after laying off workers during the pandemic. Birmingham Airport has also been affected by the industry-wide problems.
The managing director at Manchester quit on Tuesday evening after the chaos prompted the region’s mayor to hold crisis talks with police and firefighters in case they would be needed to step in.
Karen Smart resigned and will return to the south of England for family reasons and to “pursue fresh career opportunities”, her bosses said.
Last weekend the airport apologised to passengers after admitting it had “fallen short of the standards they expected”.
Ms Smart’s resignation was announced hours after Manchester mayor Andy Burnham said police and firefighters could be called in to bring order to the manic scenes at the airport, which he called “concerning”.
“I have been in touch with colleagues at Greater Manchester Police at the weekend to see what we can do to support the airport,” Mr Burnham said.
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