Dubai: Manchester Airport is anticipating a return to normal operations today, June 24th, following a major power cut that caused significant travel disruptions on Sunday, June 23rd. The outage resulted in cancellations, delays, and lost luggage for thousands of passengers.
Power outage grounds flights, disrupts operations
A power outage struck Manchester Airport early Sunday morning, severely impacting Terminals 1 and 2. All departing flights from these terminals were grounded, and incoming flights were diverted to other airports due to a lack of space on the airfield. Passengers were advised to stay away from the airport as security and baggage handling systems malfunctioned.
Power restored, but issues persist
While power was restored later in the day, the airport continued to experience problems with baggage handling and security. This led to long queues, flight delays, and luggage piling up. Airlines, like Jet2.com, were forced to cancel all remaining flights for Sunday.
Airport apologizes
Manchester Airport CEO Chris Woodroofe issued a sincere apology for the inconvenience caused. He explained that a power surge had damaged key departure security and baggage handling equipment. The airport is working with airlines to reschedule canceled flights and reunite passengers with their luggage as soon as possible.
Normal operations expected today
The airport anticipates a normal schedule for today, June 24th. However, passengers are advised to confirm their flight status before traveling.
While baggage systems are expected to be fully functional, there's a possibility that luggage from canceled flights may not arrive immediately. The airport will work to reunite passengers with their belongings as quickly as possible.
Manchester airport ranked poorly for delays
This incident adds to Manchester Airport's woes, as it was recently named the third worst UK airport for flight delays in April 2024. Passengers are advised to consider these statistics when planning future travel.