Manchester Airport has issued fresh travel advice to passengers, but promises that hundreds of new staff are on the way.
After what had been weeks of travel bedlam at the UK’s third largest airport, with many hit by cancellations and long waits of up to 90 minutes or more due to staff shortages, and after Manchester Airport bosses had previously spoken out to warn that the chaos could continue “over the next few months”, it’s now been confirmed that dozens of new staff have already been hired and hundreds more are currently going through the security training and vetting process.
In the lead-up to the peak summer holiday season, Manchester Airport has provided a progress update on its recruitment drive, and is also reminding passengers of its travel advice.
Bosses at the airport say it is “continuing to recover at pace” post-pandemic following the removal of international travel restrictions, and that passenger volumes have now grown back to 79% of pre-pandemic levels – but this means the airport is now serving around three times more passengers each week than it was in January.
While this “strong recovery” has been identified as a contributor to the long queues and delays, the shortage of staff numbers was something the airport was keen to rectify.
The UK’s third largest airport has issued an update in its recruitment drive ahead of summer / Credit: Manchester Airport
With demand returning rapidly, the airport says it has been working hard to recruit hundreds of new security officers, and improve the efficiency of how it deploys the people already working in the operation, as well as bring in new measures to “improve the airport experience” for customers and staff.
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To date, more than 8,000 applications have been received for roles including security officers, car park marshals, and hospitality staff, and in the last month alone, more than 1,600 people have applied for jobs and more than 500 people are currently going through background checks and security training.
Around 200 new starters are expected to join the operation at Manchester this month, which airport bosses say enables them to open additional security lanes during peak periods and improve customer service.
Take 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚 ⌚ Take 𝙘𝙖𝙧𝙚 💦💻 Take 𝙛𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 ✈️
Travelling from Manchester Airport soon? Prepare for your airport journey in advance. This includes allowing enough time and preparing your hand luggage for security screening.#TakeTimeTakeCareTakeFlightpic.twitter.com/mgH86SObyc
This recruitment drive and a range of other measures have improved the customer experience in recent weeks, with 90% of passengers in the last two weeks getting through security in less than 30 minutes, up significantly from 78% in the first two weeks of April.
While the airport is still admittedly experiencing longer queues at times – which the airport says is working with partner organisations, including UK Border Force, airlines and ground handlers, to address – these are said to be happening less frequently and they are also being cleared relatively quickly.
“We want to make sure that customers get away on their travels, so everyone at Manchester Airport is focused on bringing in the extra resources we need to continue operating our full flight schedule,” said Ian Costigan, Interim Managing Director of Manchester Airport.
“It is encouraging to see new staff joining us as a result of our ongoing recruitment drive, and we have seen security waiting times reduce in recent weeks”.
He added that ensuring passengers move through the airport quickly and easily is the airport’s “ultimate goal.”
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Reiterating its travel advice, the airport is urging passengers to arrive three hours before their flights, but is asking people not to come any earlier than this because they will not be able to check-in with their airlines, which could cause “unnecessary waits in the terminals”. Leaving a three-hour window will enable people to pass through security and make their flights.
Passengers who have not flown for a long time are also being urged to refamiliarise themselves with the security rules.
Featured Image – Manchester Airport
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NHS urges public not to delay getting medical help as ‘difficult’ resident doctors strike begins
Emily Sergeant
The NHS is urging the public not to delay seeking any medical help they may need despite the resident doctors strike beginning today.
Industrial action by resident doctors – who are members of the British Medical Association (BMA) – officially started today at 7am (Tuesday 7 April) and is set to run for six full days until 6:59am on Monday 13 April.
This is the fifteenth round of strike action being taken by resident doctors – formerly known as junior doctors – over pay and jobs.
The NHS says hospital teams across the country are working to minimise disruption for patients.
From 7am today and continuing into next week, some NHS services will be affected due to strike action.
Here’s what you need to know about accessing NHS care during this time ⬇️
However, the health service has conceded that this particular round of strike action is expected to be ‘particularly challenging’ due to the shorter notice period it was given – which also includes bank holidays – and the action itself falling during the Easter school holidays.
But it insits ‘plans are in place’ to continue urgent and emergency care as normal, while keeping as much planned care going as possible.
In addition to prioritising urgent and emergency care, cancer, and maternity services, the NHS says it has shown in previous strikes that it can keep the vast majority of services running for patients.
With this being the case, the NHS is insisting that patients should attend planned appointments unless they have been contacted to reschedule.
The NHS is urging patients to still keep coming forward for care if they need it / Credit: Stephen Andrews (via Unsplash)
“Staff across the NHS will be doing everything they can this week to keep patients safe and ensure people can continue to get the care they need,” commented Professor Ramani Moonesinghe, who is the National Clinical Director for Critical and Perioperative Care at NHS England, ahead of strike action beginning today.
“We know this round of industrial action will be difficult, coming straight after the Easter weekend, but patients should come forward as normal and attend any appointments unless they are contacted otherwise.”
GP practices, NHS 111, and urgent and emergency care services will continue to be available during the strike period, so anyone who needs urgent but not life-threatening care should use 111 online in the first instance, where they will be directed to the most appropriate service for their needs.
Patients with life-threatening emergencies should continue to call 999 or attend A&E as normal.
Featured Image – Pxhere
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A ‘legacy walk’ in memory of the Joe Thompson is taking place across Greater Manchester
Danny Jones
The ‘Walk With Me for JT’, a.k.a Joe Thompson ‘Legacy Walk’, is back next month, and Greater Mancunians are being encouraged to take part.
Returning this year following his tragic passing last April, the now annual charity walk has already raised thousands for charity and is set for another big turnout.
Joe Thompson, an ex-Rochdale AFC and Bury FC player, sadly died at just 36 following a long battle with lymphoma, having been diagnosed three different times in 12 years.
While the young husband and father of two’s story is a heartbreaking one, it has also become a source of inspiration for so many across the North West and, indeed, across the UK, with people once again gearing up to complete a fundraising walk in his name.
Set to honour him by making the journey from his adopted home of Rochdale all the way to Old Trafford, with Thompson having come through Man United’s youth academy, the 15-mile trek will start at his former club’s Crown Oil Arena and stop at Bury’s Gigg Lane as well as Salford City’s Peninsula Stadium.
First held in 2024 under the ‘Walk With Me for JT’ banner, the initial legacy walk saw the Bath-born footballer and countless others complete 21 miles in an effort to raise money for treatment.
Gone but never forgotten, the charity walk survives not only in the hearts and souls of his family, friends and other people’s lives he touched, but in the community spirit that his struggle and immense bravery in the face of illness helped spur on throughout the region and beyond.
Writing on social media, the Thompson family and the Foundation in his memory said, “Last year, he walked beside us. This year, we walk for him. This isn’t just a walk… It’s a promise. A promise to carry his strength, his belief, his light forward.
For every family facing illness. For everyone experiencing loss or hardship. For anyone who needs hope right now. Every step matters. Every mile has meaning. Whether you’ve walked before or this is your first time. You won’t walk alone.”
Join the annual Joe Thompson legacy walk on Saturday 2nd May 💙
Departing from the Crown Oil Arena, the 15-mile walk will finish at Manchester United's Old Trafford 🏟️
They signed off by adding: “Be part of something bigger. Be part of Joe’s legacy. Be part of the movement. Get a team together, invite your friends, colleagues and family and let’s raise funds to support The Joe Thompson Foundation.”
With the event beginning at 11am on Saturday, 2 May, there have already been numerous sign-ups, and you can expect even more to lace up their shoes and pay tribute to a local hero.
If you want to join in the effort and help do your bit, you can register for the 2026 Joe Thompson Legacy Walk right HERE.
Emily Sergeant -
5th May 2022 
