Manchester Airport's advice to passengers on when to arrive for their flight

Manchester Airport bosses say people arriving too early for their flight could actually add to the delays at check-in. They have now issued advice on exactly when passengers should arrive given the current queueing chaos.

The airport has been plagued by problems in recent weeks including long waits of in some cases several hours to pass through check-in and security and reach the departure lounge. Some passengers claimed to have missed flights as a result.

A number of travellers have said on social media they have resorted to arriving at the airport way before the normal recommended time, in same cases more than five hours before their flight, in a bid to avoid this.

But the airport has clarified its official advice saying they are urging people to arrive earlier, but that people should only arrive at the time check-in for their flight opens as arriving earlier could in fact cause more delays.

“We encourage passengers to arrive at the earliest time recommended by their airline, which is usually when check-in for their flight opens" a spokesperson said.

"Arriving earlier than that is not recommended, as passengers will not be able to check-in and may add to congestion in the check-in hall.”

Prior to recent weeks, Manchester Airport has always given the general guidance that passengers should be 'checked in and ready to go through security at least two hours' before their flight departure time.

But this week two airlines - Tui and British Airways - said they were now recommending their passengers to arrive at the airport up to three hours before departing.

A third, EasyJet, didn't give a specific time frame but said they were aware of the security delays at at the airport and are advising customers to arrive at the