Manchester Airport chaos as easyJet flights delayed after IT failure and M56 crash - latest updates

EasyJet passengers have been hit with delays this afternoon after an IT failure. It comes as crash on the M56 causes miles of tailbacks near Manchester Airport.

The Manchester Evening News understand around nine flights have been affected by easyJet's technical glitch, which has played havoc with the airline's systems nationally. No other airlines are facing issues at the current time.

READ MORE: ' It's a farce': Couple cancel holiday after Tui reschedules journey more than 40 hours after original departure

Currently, easyJet passengers are being told to track flights on the company's digital services for more information.

Travellers have faced weeks of delays as the airport faces a staff shortage.

This is a breaking news story, with more to follow. Please check below for updates.

Sign up to the Mancunian Way newsletter to get an in depth look at the biggest stories from our region every weekday

It also appears that issues outside the terminals - on the M56 - aren't getting better.

The latest update from traffic monitors Inrix says: "Two lanes closed and severe delays due to accident on M56 Eastbound at J5 (Manchester Airport).

"Congestion to J7 (Bowdon). Travel time is around 1 hour 10 minutes.Lanes one and two (of three) are closed. Traffic was briefly held at 16:15."

One woman caught up in the issues is Sue Longden, from Radcliffe. She ws supposed to be flying to Antalya, in Turkey, with her family to celebrate her 60th birthday.

"They let a few through, then everything stopped. Someone on the app said the flight had been cancelled. It was just hearsay. The [staff] just said to go on the app and change your flights," she told the MEN.

"We just felt binned off. We are not able to get out there. At the moment,