Labour MP Mr Murray told Sky News: "We’ve been warning for months throughout the Covid pandemic that you can’t just let the airline industry and airports fall over, let them shed all of their staff, and then expect to get back on track when demand comes back after the pandemic. They are now struggling to recruit new workers and have their security checks processed. The aviation industry is suffering from staff shortages after thousands were let go during the coronavirus pandemic. Planning ahead - and not leaving preparation until the last minute." Making sure they have the necessary documentation or evidence of tests/vaccines if required Understanding what’s required of them before going through security Turning up when their airline asks them to – not before, not after "We also encourage passengers to do their bit to help themselves by: Thanks to the team’s hard work, the progress we’ve made with recruitment and the flexibility of colleagues to cover busy shifts, our passengers are getting through security without delay." "Together, with our airline partners, plans are in place to ensure we respond to this extra demand. As the core summer months approach, passenger numbers will increase. While there have been isolated incidents of disruption, we don’t envisage there being significant issues in the coming days. Throughout this half-term week, we anticipate that 170,000 passengers will travel through EMA, most of whom are flying to popular holiday destinations across Europe. "Today we’re seeing 14,000 daily passengers. Re-wind 12 months, and the contrast could not be greater. "As each day passes, East Midlands Airport (EMA) feels more like it should at this time of year. The challenges it currently faces as passenger demand grows following two years of significant disruption is a global issue, and not unique to the UK. Meanwhile an East Midlands Airport spokesperson said: "The Covid pandemic, from which the entire aviation sector is still recovering, was the biggest-ever shock to international travel. However East Midlands Airport has not seen the same chaos. Passengers at airports such as Heathrow, Gatwick and Bristol are reporting long delays. British Airways is continuing to cancel dozens of flights each day, although the airline said passengers are being told several days in advance, reports LeicestershireLive. We are obviously disappointed to see passengers’ plans disrupted in this way."ĮasyJet cancelled at least 31 flights at Gatwick on Tuesday. It added: "We understand Tui’s difficult decision to cancel a number of services over the course of the next month. In response, the airport said the carrier and its ground handler, Swissport, are suffering from staff shortages and are experiencing "significant challenges with their check-in and baggage reclaim operations". The airline said in a statement this is due to "ongoing challenges in our operation". Furthermore, a total of 291 departures from major UK airports had been cancelled between May 25 and May 31. Tui Airways will cancel around six flights at Manchester Airport every day until the end of June. Read more stories about traffic and travel in Derbyshire Airline passengers have been hit by cancellations and long delays at some airports for several months, with the situation worsening this week during the half-term school holiday and ahead of the Platinum Jubilee bank holiday period. There have been instances where passengers have been turned away at the departure gates as their flights are cancelled and pictures of huge queues of people waiting to check-in due to staff shortages.ĭuring the chaotic fallout for passengers, a spokeswoman for the Government has insisted the aviation industry was "responsible for making sure they have enough staff to meet demand". Other ministers have been accused of failing to "step up" as holidaymakers using UK airports continue to suffer major disruption. Shadow financial secretary to the Treasury James Murray maintains the Government "hasn’t prepared" for the rise in demand for travel abroad following the Covid pandemic. It insists "plans are in place to ensure we respond to this extra demand". Lack of staff has been blamed for the problems, which have affected airlines including easyJet and Tui.īut East Midlands Airport has assured passengers that it will be able to ensure smooth travel for them. East Midlands Airport has issued a statement in the wake of huge delays and cancelled flights at many airports across the country.
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