Manchester Airport has issued an apology after passengers reported waiting for up to SEVEN hours for their suitcases in baggage reclaim.
The airport has said sorry for the ‘unacceptable levels of service’ experienced by many travelling during the busy festive period.
It said that the delays were due to ‘significant staffing challenges’ at Swissport, the handling company in charge of the baggage operation at Manchester Airport.
Some passengers reported people ‘laid on the floor’ when faced with the hours-long delays.
Others slammed the lack of communication the airport put out while they were waiting.
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The longest reported delay came from one passenger who said on Twitter: “Up to seven hour delays at baggage at Manchester – going to be a long night.”
Manchester Airport baggage reclaim. Credit: Manchester Airport Group
Another wrote: “2 hours since landing and 150 very bored kids (and their parents) are still waiting for their bags.”
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Someone else said: “We landed at 11.45, it’s now 13.15 and despite an announcement saying our bags would be on the carousel in around 10-15 minutes, we still have no bags and you have no staff available to answer questions or help. This isn’t good enough. Where are our bags!?”
And another commented: “Waiting in T2 baggage claim for over an hour. No sign of baggage, no sign of movement. Passengers laid on the floor.”
In a statement, Manchester Airport said: “We have been mode aware of significant staffing challenges faced by Swissport, which is impacting the arrivals experience of passengers flying with the airlines it supports.
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“This may result in some delays to passengers being able to disembark their aircraft, and to the baggage collection process, during the course of this evening.
“It is disappointing that – despite assurances to the contrary – Swissport is not able to provide adequate resources during the busiest weekend of the Christmas travel period and we apologise to all passengers who have experienced unacceptable levels of service.
“We have mobilised a Manchester Airport support team to keep disruption to a minimum and are seeking urgent clarification on the steps being taken by Swissport to resolve the challenges it is facing.
“We would like to thank the Swissport team currently operating at the airport under such challenging circumstances, and our airport colleagues for their support.
“Thank you to all affected passengers for their patience, and our sincere apologies once again for the disruption they may face.”
Featured image: Manchester Airport Group
News
Arrest made after 14-year-old boy found in critical condition on Market Street
Daisy Jackson
An arrest has been made after a teenage boy was found unresponsive on Market Street in Manchester city centre.
Detectives believe that the boy, 14, was approached by seven males who stole a designer jacket from him.
Following the altercation, he went into cardiac arrest and was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.
Thankfully, the teenager is continuing to recover well.
Detectives from Manchester City Centre Criminal Investigation Department confirmed that an 18-year-old male was arrested yesterday, Thursday 20 February.
He has been arrested on suspicion of robbery and remains in police custody.
Detective Inspector Mark Astbury of GMP’s City Centre Criminal Investigation Department, said: “We hope the victim can continue his recovery following what must have been a terrifying ordeal for him.
“Officers are fully investigating all aspects of this shocking incident that has left a man with serious injuries in hospital.
“Our work doesn’t stop here, we are continuing to investigate this incident and information from the public plays an incredibly important role in our investigations and I ask that the community keep talking to us and keep sharing their concerns with us so our teams can act.”
If you have any information, contact GMP 101 or 0161 856 4305 quoting log 2854 of 16/2/25.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials
Emily Sergeant
Trials are currently underway to see if comedy could be an alternative to antidepressants as a way to reduce NHS costs.
UK tech company Craic Health has secured important funding for its ‘comedy on prescription’ project that’s aimed at helping the Government work with the comedy industry, communities, and organisations on comedy-based social prescriptions in the hope that they can solve financial struggles within the NHS.
The groundbreaking scheme uses stand-up shows and workshops to help people who are isolated, lonely, and vulnerable.
Craic believes comedy is an ‘untapped opportunity’ to improve health and wellbeing, and has a goal to make comedy easier to access, so that it can help communities experience its mental health and social benefits.
To achieve this, the company has started trialling Comedy-on-Prescription experiences in the UK – starting in London, with the potential for expansion – which includes things like curated comedy panel game show events and workshops, and general stand-up comedy shows at some of the capital’s world-famous venues.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
“Mental health issues like loneliness, isolation, and stress are more common than ever,” the company explains.
“So much so that it’s projected that by 2030, mental health problems, particularly depression, will be the leading cause of mortality and morbidity globally, [but] in this challenging world, comedy stands out as a universal language that breaks barriers.
“Research shows that comedy and laughter have powerful effects – they bring people together, create positive connections, and make life more enjoyable.”
Craic Health says that social prescribing, of which Comedy-on-Prescription is a part of, is all about inclusivity, which makes it making it suitable for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.
Its focus is on personalised support, tailored to individual needs and preferences.
Daisy Jackson -
19th December 2022 
