New Manchester Airport boss admits 'we're not there yet' as he appears on BBC Breakfast

The new managing director of Manchester Airport has admitted that they are working to address the current issues but are "not there yet".

Chris Woodroofe took over as managing director less than two weeks ago after Karen Smart quit in April, following a backlash over long passenger queues, staff shortages and calls from city leaders for management to 'get a grip' of the crisis.

In recent weeks, problems have continued, with passengers still being asked to arrive three hours before their flight and reports of huge security lines. Other horror stories include missing baggage, police rescues after flights failed to take off and thousands of passenger trips cancelled by text message.

READ MORE : 'Is it going to be like how it was in 2019? No' - Manchester Airport's new boss speaks out for first time over huge queues and delays

Speaking on BBC Breakfast this morning (Saturday July 2) Mr Woodroofe admitted that passengers this summer "won't have the sort of experience they had in 2019" but he claimed that Manchester Airport is "getting there" in addressing the current issues.

"What I've seen at Manchester Airport is an enormous effort," he said. "They've thrown everything at the recruitment process to rebuild and we are getting there but we're not there yet.

"Passengers won't have the sort of experience they had in 2019 this summer but my priority is to get them on their way so that they get to have their holidays."

Originally from Widnes in Cheshire, Mr Woodroofe, an engineer by trade, was chief operating officer at London Gatwick from 2016 to 2020. His most recent role was at Chevron Traffic Management, where he had overall responsibility for operational performance and driving growth.

In an interview with the