Manchester Airport has addressed a recent documentary that showed the struggles the transport hub has been facing.
Undercover footage captured passengers crawling along conveyor belts to get their own luggage after staff shortages left them waiting for their possessions.
The Dispatches episode, which aired on Channel 4 on Monday evening, was ‘inaccurate’ and out of date, Manchester Airport has said.
A spokesperson from the airport said they weren’t given a chance to address the claims made in the episode, which ‘risks unnecessarily misleading viewers’.
Stills from the Dispatches episodeStills from the Dispatches episodeThe Dispatches episode from Manchester Airport. Credit: Channel 4
Their statement also apologised to those customers who have experienced disruption so far this year but wanted to ‘reassure’ future passengers that progress has been made.
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The footage used in the documentary was captured by an undercover reporter a month ago, when queues were frequently stretching all the way out of the terminal buildings.
Dispatches also featured a Swissport baggage handler saying: “I give up, mate. I’ve just had enough already. It’s meant to be a two-man job – put me on my own.
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“Trust me, this one’s failed a little bit, trust me. I thought, ‘You know what, f*** them. I don’t give a f, mate. F them.”
A Manchester Airport spokesperson said about the Dispatches episode: “‘The whole aviation industry has faced challenges in recovering from the pandemic, but we have worked hard once the start of the year to prepare for the peak summer season. For our part, we have recruited more than 600 new staff into our security operation and nearly 300 more are due to start work in the weeks ahead.
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“This means we have not had to ask our airlines to cancel large numbers of flights, protecting the holidays of more than 3m people who will travel through Manchester Airport this summer. We are confident that, thanks to the progress we have made, the over-whelming majority will have a positive experience. As an example, in the last week more than 95% of passengers got through security in under 30 minutes.
Following the recent episode of Dispatches on Channel 4, we want to reassure passengers due to travel through Manchester Airport this summer. pic.twitter.com/KPCe3d2eEn
“While there will be moments when we, or our airlines, ground handlers and other partners, continue to face challenges due to our ongoing recovery, it is our view that Dispatches gave an inaccurate impression of the current state of operations and the experience that passengers will receive in the coming weeks.
“The undercover footage within Swissports baggage operation was several weeks old, as were almost all the case studies and mobile phone videos used. Many of the Issues highlighted in the programme related to airports other than Manchester. Despite several requests, we were refused a right to reply and not given the opportunity to challenge or factually correct any of the claims made. This prevented us from outlining the improvements made in recent months and risks unnecessarily misleading viewers about what to expect when they travel this summer.
“We apologise to any customers who have faced disruption during our recovery, and want to thank all of our colleagues for their hard work and dedication throughout.”
Featured image: The Manc Group
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Full list of road closures for Manchester’s New Year’s Eve fireworks display 2025
Emily Sergeant
Road closures will be in place as Manchester city centre prepares for its spectacular New Year’s Eve fireworks display.
Once the hustle and bustle of Christmas dies down, Boxing Day has been and gone, and we enter the time where nobody knows what day it is, everybody then begins waiting for New Year’s Eve to arrive, and for 2026 to bring new beginnings and a fresh start.
2023 was the first year since the COVID-19 pandemic where Manchester city centre hosted one of its famous fireworks displays that ‘say goodbye to the old and welcome in the new’, and it proved to be a huge success with both residents and visitors alike – so it only made sense that it would return again for 2024 and 2025.
Families from all across Greater Manchester are invited down to the ‘fun-filled event’ in St Peter’s Square this Wednesday 31 December from 10pm onwards.
And, for the first time ever this year, Mancs are being given the pick of two different events to enjoy with their families and friends as the city counts down to the new year – with events being held on Albert Square too, as well as St Peter’s Square.
You can find out more about all the events happening this New Year’s Eve in Manchester here.
Road closures have been announced for Manchester’s New Year’s Eve fireworks display 2025 / Credit: Manchester City Council
The Council says that, in order to ensure ‘a safe and celebratory event for all’ to see in 2026, security staff will be keeping a close eye on revellers to minimise any disruption and allow everyone to see in the new year together.
To best accommodate the event and everyone attending, the following road closures and parking suspensions have been confirmed:
Road closures
From 1pm on 31 December 2025 to 2am on 1 January 2026
Library Walk (St Peter’s Square to Mount Street)
From 7:30pm on 31 December 2025 to 2am on 1 January 2026
Peter Street westbound (Mount Street to Lower Mosley Street)
Peter Street eastbound (Deansgate to Lower Mosley Street)
Oxford Street (Peter Street to Portland Street)
George Street (Oxford Street to Dickinson Street)
St James Street (Oxford Street to Dickinson Street)
Bale Street (Lower Mosley Street to Hall Street)
Hall Street (Bale Street to Oxford Street)
From 9pm on 31 December 2025 to 2am on 1 January 2026
Lower Mosley Street (Windmill Street to St Peter’s Square)
Princess Street (Cooper Street to George Street)
Back George Street (Princess Street to Dickinson Street)
Parking suspensions
From 9am on 27 December 2025 to 9am on 2 January 2026
Mount Street (Four accessible bays closest to Central Library loading bay)
From 4pm on 30 December 2025 to 6am on 2 January 2026
Peter Street (Lower Mosley Street to Mount Street)
Oxford Street (Lower Mosley Street to Portland Street)
Lower Mosley Street (Windmill Street to St Peter’s Square)
Princess Street (Cooper Street to George Street)
George Street (Oxford Street to Princess Street) for accessible parking
Back George Street (Princess Street to Dickenson Street)
Museum Street (Windmill Street to Peter Street)
Mount Street (Windmill Street to Albert Square
Dickenson Street (Portland Street to Back George Street) for accessible parking
Bootle Street (Mount Street to Southmill Street)
Central Street (Mount Street to Southmill Street)
Portaloo toilet facilities, including accessible toilets will be available on site and the Lloyd Street public toilets will remain open to serve both Squares until 1 am.
Hot drinks and food will be available on site, but alcohol is not permitted.
There will be no tram services through St Peter’s Square from 9pm on 31 December until the end of the fireworks display.
Full details of Metrolink service and accessible shuttle buses can be found here.
Featured Image – Chris Curry (via Unsplash)
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Salford confirms another ex-player as new CEO of phoenix rugby club
Danny Jones
As Salford turns the page of a new chapter in its rugby league history, ex-Red Devils player Ryan Brierley has been announced as the new chief executive officer (CEO).
His appointment was confirmed on Wednesday, 24 December, giving Salford rugby fans some fresh hope over the festive period.
Brierley, who played as a full back at Salford Red Devils from 2022 before leaving for Oldham RLFC halfway through last season earlier this year, follows fellow former player Mason Caton-Brown in returning to the team in a leadership capacity.
Sharing the news on his own social media, he wrote: “Incredibly honoured to announce I have been appointed Chief Executive Officer of Salford RLFC.”
His official statement goes on to read: “I would like to place on record my gratitude to the board members Malcolm Crompton, Mason Caton Brown and Paul Hancock for this opportunity. I would also like to thank the RFL and Salford City Council for their continued support.
“Lastly, but most importantly, to the Salford fans: what we had to go through last year was heartbreaking. I think I can speak to the wider Rugby League community and echo the sentiments of all fans that no club should ever go through that experience.
“Thank you for letting me lead this organisation into a new era. I’ve always said Salford people are my people and I will protect this club, with its best interests at heart. It is important [that] expectations are managed, and patience is required.”
He signed off by simply asking for the same support he was afforded as a fan, adding: “I have no doubt in my mind that you will go above and beyond, it’s just what Salford fans do…”
Led by the aforementioned Caton-Brown (a retired winger who played for the Red Devils between 2014-26), as well as another pair of directors in Hancock and Crompton, the Salford phoenix club has officially been given a Championship license for 2026.
Although relegation from the Super League and liquidation after 152 years were dark days for the club, this new consortium has already provided fans with some promising signs.
Besides saving the Salford sporting institution from total extinction, having previous members of the old outfit who know the bones, the stadium, the culture and the city so well is obviously a big bonus.
For now, it is a race against time to get a squad ready for the season opener against Brierley’s last team, Oldham – though contracts for a head coach and several players have reportedly been “pre-agreed”.
Daisy Jackson -
3rd August 2022 
