Manchester Airport passengers told to wait hours - or baggage will be delivered 'some time next week'

Passengers have claimed Manchester Airport staff told them: Wait for hours now or have your bags delivered 'some time next week'. It comes as airport bosses, and partners like airlines and baggage handling agents, continue to grapple with major staff shortages.

Danny, 40, who asked not to be fully named, and partner Abigail, were among hundreds of travellers to fall foul of baggage delays at the hub on Wednesday. The couple's TUI flight from Paphos landed at 7pm but they were not able to retrieve their luggage until 10.45pm, with the alternative being to share their addresses so it could be delivered 'mid-to-late next week'.

It comes amid staffing issues which have led to long queues in security, check-in, passport control and issues with baggage handling. On Thursday, hub bosses issued a statement reporting improved queuing times amid a successful recruitment drive - but it appears their partner agencies, including baggage handling firms, are still battling the crisis.

READ MORE: Manchester Airport passengers forced to queue out the door in 'crazy' scenes this morning

Danny told the Manchester Evening News : "We were expecting something with everything that's been in the news - but when you see little kids crying their eyes out because it's so late and the lack of information, it makes it even worse. Everyone who came out in a high viz was getting peppered but they couldn't give us any information - apart from one guy who blamed staff shortages.

"To be fair, Manchester Airport was good flying out, there were no issues, it was coming back that was the problem."

Having arrived on a TUI flight from Paphos, the account director said their arrival experience was 'a shambles' throughout. Their flight was delayed by 90