Manchester Airport staff asked to volunteer own time to help after days of chaotic queues

Staff at Manchester Airport have been asked to volunteer their time to help support colleagues after days of huge queues and delays for hundreds of passengers.

A letter, which has been seen by the Manchester Evening News, was sent out yesterday (March 17) asking staff to assist with passengers in Terminal One today. The email was sent out after a number of passengers have been faced with long queues through security on a number of occasions.

Passengers also complained of similar wait times with checking in and collecting baggage, with queues even stretching back to the car parks earlier this week. In the email, titled 'volunteer support on Friday 18th March', staff working in non-operational roles were asked to volunteer to be redeployed to the check-in area to help manage queues and passenger queries.

READ MORE: Manchester Airport apologises over passenger queues so long they end in the car park

The message, sent out by a terminal duty manager, said: "Due to a higher than expected volume of passengers, we require additional support in the terminals tomorrow Friday 18th. Help is required front-of-house in the check-in area helping to manage queues and provide information to passengers.”

It added: “We're expecting a challenging day so any assistance between the hours of 0400 and 1800 would be invaluable." Manchester Airport has confirmed the letter was sent out, with volunteers able to offer as much or as little time as they wished.

In a statement, a Manchester Airport spokesperson said: "Our operations have come under significant pressure in recent days and, as part of our response to this, we have given those working in a number of departments the opportunity to support their colleagues and help provide the best