NEWS
UK airports are recruiting to fill vacancies but security checks on applicants ‘can take three months’
Trade braced for bumpy ride as staff shortages hit UK airports
Ian Taylor
The start of the Easter school holidays was marred by lengthy queues and delays at Heathrow and Manchester airports and flight cancellations across the country. Travel businesses were braced
for multiple challenges over the coming days as high Covid infection rates compounded staff shortages, with agents describing the situation as “worrying”. Richard Slater, owner of
can take forever even for people who check in online.” The issue is not restricted to
STORY TOP
Henbury Travel in the northwest, said: “We had clients last week who didn’t want to fly from Manchester.” Miles Morgan Travel chairman Miles Morgan said: “It’s worrying it’s only April and airports are creaking.” Holiday Inspirations co-owner
Neil Basnett said he is advising clients to get to the airport three hours before departure, warning: “It
travelweekly.co.uk
Britain. Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary warned last week of “real pressure on airports, on baggage handlers and security” and questioned whether airports “can handle the passengers we’re sending through them”. The chief executive of
airports association ACI Europe, Dalton Philips, conceded: “We’re finding it challenging to keep up with
demand. We’re 30% above our best- case [traffic] forecast early in the year.” A leading airline source said: “It’s
a big challenge and it’s going to be a challenge throughout the summer. There is a complex set of issues. “It’s the hangover from Covid.
It’s high levels of sickness. Teams aren’t up to full levels because of recruitment. A lot of experienced
people left and there are a lot of new people. Security clearances aren’t coming through. There are still significant issues with Border Force. There are still restrictions at the other end of routes and countries still adjusting their Covid requirements. “It’s going to take longer than a
few days to resolve, though hopefully sickness rates will start to plateau.” The source added: “What is
causing problems at Heathrow is Terminal 4 being closed. That is having an impact on Terminal 2. At Manchester, it’s a security staff issue. There are many factors and a lot of this is not about incompetence. “Airlines were ramping up for this
level of capacity, but no one could get the numbers right. It’s grasping at straws to think anyone could. This is a massive, complex industry which was shut down for almost two years and a lot of people left. “We won’t have a complete
resolution for the summer. It’s going to be bumpy. Travel will remain a challenge at peak times.” A second source agreed: “It’s
going to be challenging. How the summer will be depends on the labour market. We’re looking at ways to speed up security vetting. But there are limits. These security checks are necessary. There is not a simple solution. “There is a lot of media criticism,
but in December there were still tough restrictions in place. Testing only disappeared in February. A security check can take three months. People recruited in January still wouldn’t be on the frontline. “Airlines, airports, Border Force
are all recruiting and seeking security vetting at the same time and the vetting system can’t cope.” Manchester airport managing
director Karen Smart stood down on Tuesday following the chaos.
7 APRIL 2022 5
PICTURE: Shutterstock/alice-photo
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56
