TUI has announced plans to axe hundreds of flights from Manchester Airport over the next month.
The tour operator will cancel six flights a day, starting today until the end of June.
Manchester is the only airport affected by the ‘incredibly difficult’ decision.
TUI said that ‘on-going disruption in our operation at Manchester Airport’ is to blame for the upcoming cancellations.
TUI is cancelling six flights a day from Manchester. Credit: TUI
Affected customers will be given full refunds as well as an ‘extra gesture of goodwill’, TUI said in a statement.
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The news comes after several days of more travel chaos at the transport hub, with queues for check-in stretching through the sky tunnel and into car parks.
Similar scenes have been taking place at airports across the country.
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A statement from TUI said: “We would like to apologise to our customers who have experienced flight delays and cancellations in recent days and understand that many of our customers have been looking forward to their holiday with us for a long time.
“Due to the amount of on-going disruption in our operation at Manchester Airport, we have made the incredibly difficult decision to cancel six flights a day (43 flights a week), from Tuesday 31st May until Thursday 30th June. All other airports in the UK are planned to operate as normal.
“We understand how disappointing this will be for those impacted; however, we believe this is necessary to provide stability and a better customer service at Manchester Airport.
“We will continue to work closely with all our airport partners and suppliers so we can provide the best possible holiday experience for our customers.
“Customers affected by the flight cancellations will receive a full refund for their holiday, as well as an extra gesture of goodwill.
“Customers impacted in the next 14 days will also receive information on how to apply for compensation in line with regulations.
Queues at Manchester Airport. Credit: The Manc Group
“We would like to reassure our customers that we cancellations of this nature are extremely rare and would like to thank them for their patience and understanding.”
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A Manchester Airport spokesman said: “Over the last few days TUI and its appointed ground handler, Swissport, have experienced significant challenges with their check-in and baggage reclaim operations at Manchester Airport.
“From extensive discussions with the TUI and Swissport management teams, it is clear that they are experiencing temporary staff shortages, in common with other aviation and travel companies.
“Given these challenges, we understand TUI’s difficult decision to cancel a number of services over the course of the next month, although we are obviously disappointed to see passengers’ plans disrupted in this way.
“We will continue to work with TUI, Swissport and other partners to give passengers the best possible service as the travel sector builds back to full strength after the pandemic.
“In the meantime, we continue to advise passengers to arrive three hours before their flight and to be as prepared as they can be for their journey through the airport.”
Featured image: TUI
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French fine dining spot 63 Degrees confirms closure after 14 years
Danny Jones
One of Manchester’s long-standing French bistros, 63 Degrees, has now announced the business has closed its doors for good after nearly a decade and a half in the city centre.
The family-run fine dining destination first opened back in 2011, but after closing over the most recent festive period and despite all of us hoping and praying this year would be a healthier one for hospitality, they have become the sector’s latest casualty.
Having been one of the few classical spots of its kind left in central Manchester, not to mention boasting a spot on the Michelin guide, it’s a huge loss for Manchester food and drink.
The team have been silent on socials since August 2023 and no one needs any reminder of how challenging the industry is right now, so closures like these don’t exactly come as a surprise anymore, but it seems another big factor was at the heart of the decision.
It’s a logo most would instantly recognise.The initial plan was to stay open but it sadly hasn’t worked out.Credit: The Manc Group
Confirming the news to Manchester Confidential, 63 Degrees confirmed that their Christmas hiatus has now become permanent as many had suspected, with the highly-rated Northern Quarter spot closed permanently as of this week.
Founder Alexandre Moreau said that his parents, Head Chef Eric and mother Florence, have now returned to France following a period of ill health.
Speaking to the outlet, Moreau added: “I’m glad my parents have retired now. My dad was spending six days a week in the kitchen and got to the point where his whole body was hurting. He had a hard time finding people he could trust in the kitchen so he could not delegate that much.
“My mum’s health got worse in November last year so they decided it was time to stop and go back to France. Nothing you can do, unfortunately. Life will do that to all of us at some point.”
Revealing that the lease has now been handed over to the landlord, he signed off by stating, “They had a great run, but it’s a difficult job at that age.”
Shining not only as one of the few places left that still served traditional haute cuisine in our region but emerging as one of the spots that helped put NQ’s now thriving foodie scene on the map back in the day, we couldn’t think of a more fitting image to part on than this one:
We wish Alexandre and Eric all the best, as well as a speedy recovery to Florence back home, and sincerely hope they get to enjoy a slower pace of life after years of service and outstanding contribution to the world of Manc dining.
Unfortunately, 63 Degrees is just one of the most recent Manchester restaurants that have closed; we’re not even in mid-February yet and we’re already losing count of how many of these pieces we’ve had to write for various reasons.
That being said, the general consensus seems to be that it is impossibly hard for local businesses to keep afloat under the constant pressure of rising energy bills, business rates and a cost of living crisis that is preventing people from being able to eat out.
If institutions such as this and the likes of Almost Famous are struggling to survive, how on Earth can those much earlier into their journey be expected to survive? They need help and fast.
Three iconic Manchester bands nominated to join the legendary Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
Emily Sergeant
Three of Manchester’s most iconic bands have been nominated for one of the most iconic music honours there is.
The legendary Rock & Roll Hall of Fame – which is now in its 42nd prestigious year, having been founded back in 1983 – has this week announced a list of 14 performer nominees who are to be considered for induction in 2025, with some massively-famous names on the list including Cyndi Lauper, Billy Idol, Outkast, and The White Stripes.
Arguably three of the biggest names up for consideration this year, however, are not only some of Manchester‘s most iconic bands but some of the most iconic of all time.
Artists or bands become eligible for nomination to be inducted once 25 years has passed since releasing their first commercial recording.
Now that the 14 nominees have been named, ballots are set to be distributed to an international voting panel that’s made up of more than 1,200 artists, historians, and music industry professionals.
Judges will decide who to induct into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame based on the artist’s impact on music culture, influence on other musicians that have followed, as well as the scope and longevity of their career and body of work.
Three iconic Manchester bands have been nominated to join the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame / Credit: Jill Furmanovsky | Dena Flows
Inductees entering the Hall of Fame fall under three special committee categories – Musical Influence, Musical Excellence, and the Ahmet Ertegun Non-Performer Award.
“These remarkable nominees have each created their own musical style and attitude, impacting generations of music lovers and contributing to the ever-evolving sounds and continued growth of rock & roll,” commented John Sykes, who is the Chairman of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation, as the nominations were announced this week.
Will Oasis or Joy Division / New Order make it though?
Well, only time will tell, as the 2025 performer inductees will be revealed in late April, with the grand Induction Ceremony taking place in Los Angeles later this autumn.