Why the Easter airport chaos is expected to be even worse this weekend

Brits who’ve planned a holiday abroad this Easter will be concerned as airports continue to experience disruption. Holidaymakers have ended up missing flights despite arriving at airports early, while many airlines have cancelled services.

Passengers at Manchester Airport have experienced long queues over the past couple of weeks. Arrivals have even abandoned their luggage due to the wait.

More than 100 scheduled flights were cancelled from the UK on Wednesday, WalesOnline reports. British Airways cancelled at least 78 flights from Heathrow and easyJet axed at least 30 from Gatwick.

READ MORE: Friends miss graduation party after they become stranded in Majorca for days due to easyJet flight cancellations

People hoping to make the most of relaxed Covid travel rules have seen their trips affected as the airline industry suffers a surge of coronavirus-related sickness and a shortage of workers after job cuts during the pandemic. The rate of staff absences at easyJet is around double normal levels.

The situation could worsen this weekend as airports will be used by travellers returning from trips during the first week of the break, and those departing for the second week of the school holiday. Some school Easter holidays also only begin next Monday.

Manchester Airport has been badly hit with its managing director Karen Smart resigning on Tuesday after weeks of disruption for passengers. Passengers have also reported long queues at Heathrow and Birmingham airports.

Airports are struggling from the combination of staff shortages and a spike in demand as many families head abroad for the school Easter holiday, which is the first since the UK’s coronavirus restrictions for international travellers were dropped.

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