Airports prepare for passenger influx as Easter holiday period begins

Airports are expecting to handle a sizeable passenger influx as the Easter holiday period approaches following the relaxation of pandemic travel restrictions.

Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LJLA) is gearing up to process around 170,000 passengers over the next fortnight, boosted by the start of school holidays this weekend (April 2).

It will be the first school holiday period since the lifting of the last of the Government’s COVID-related international travel restrictions, and coincides with increased flights from Liverpool following the start of the airlines’ summer schedules last week.

Mediterranean destinations, and City breaks, are expected to be the most popular among passengers eager to travel once again.

LJLA says the most popular sunshine routes this Easter are likely to be Malaga, Alicante, Faro and Palma, as well as routes to the Turkish resorts of Dalaman, Bodrum and Antalya which have recently restarted.

City breaks to destinations closer to home such as Dublin and Belfast are also expected to be popular as usual, along with destinations including Vienna, Stockholm, Paris, Budapest and Porto.

The airport is continuing its recovery from the pandemic and expects to be significantly busier than just a few months ago. However passengers are reminded that security restrictions relating to items in hand luggage, that most travellers were familiar with pre-COVID, remain in place.

Passengers are asked to allow plenty of time to pass through the airport and urged to carefully think about what they bring in their hand luggage to help reduce delays for themselves and other travellers.

Passengers should also ensure that they check what restrictions are in place for the destination they are travelling to, with some countries continuing to have COVID-related restrictions for arriving passengers.

Robin Tudor, head of PR for LJLA, said: “We are looking forward to the return of the Easter getaway once again bringing the busiest holiday period of the year so far for the airport now that the last of the Government’s COVID-related international travel restrictions have been lifted.

“Our post-pandemic recovery continues and whilst we still have some way to go in terms of reaching pre-pandemic passenger numbers, it is great to be welcoming back lots more passengers to the airport once again.”

He added: “We don’t expect lengthy queues for our passengers, however, travellers should remember that security restrictions regarding items in hand luggage prior to the pandemic remain in place and because the airport will be busier than usual, they should allow plenty of time to pass through the terminal.”

A Manchester Airport spokesman said: “This weekend, and the upcoming Easter holidays, are set to be the busiest the airport has seen since the pandemic started.

“With that in mind, customers are advised to arrive at the earliest time their airline allows them to check in, and to ensure they are familiar with the latest rules around what they can and can’t carry through security.

“We would like to thank all our teams for their dedication during these busy times and, once again, apologise to any passengers who have been impacted by delays.”

The Airport Operators Association (AOA) warned that some airports could be subject to delays as passenger numbers increase.

It said that, while airports across the UK are increasing their staff as quickly as possible ahead of the expected sharp increase in passengers over Easter, a combination of a very tight labour market, delays in the necessary government security checks for new and returning staff, as well as COVID-related staff absences could put some airport operations under some strain, which could mean longer queues at peak travel times.

AOA chief executive, Karen Dee, said: “Now UK travel restrictions have been removed, airports cannot wait to see passengers return in volume and to help people finally take that long-awaited holiday or reconnect with friends and relatives they have not seen for a long time.

“Airports have been preparing for this for some time, but at peak times passengers may not have the experience they are used to.

“Airports are working hard to recruit more staff in a very competitive labour market and are working with the UK Government to resolve any delays in the necessary checks before staff can start work.

“For many passengers this will be the first time they have travelled abroad since the beginning of the pandemic and the processes required may seem unfamiliar. The advice airports – and airlines – are issuing should help ensure passengers are as prepared as they can be. If airports and passengers work together in this way, we can get everyone on their way as smoothly and quickly as possible.”