Metro Mayor’s plea to government to speed up security checks for airport staff

Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, has urged the Government to speed up security checks for prospective new staff at Manchester Airport in a bid to cut the lengthy queues at check in.

The airport has seen huge delays over the past few weeks, running up to the busy Easter holiday period. Passengers have missed flights due to lengthy hold-ups through security prior to boarding.

Manchester Airport said this is due to shortages of security staff to handle the process, following many being furloughed or laid off throughout the pandemic.

However, Mayor Burnham met with Manchester Airport bosses yesterday (April 5) in a bid to try and ease the problems, which look likely to continue for at least two months.

Last night it was revealed that Manchester Airport managing director, Karen Smart, had resigned and would pursue ‘fresh career opportunities.’

Today (April 6), Mayor Burnham revealed the outcome of his meeting with airport bosses.

He said, like everyone, he had been concerned by some of the scenes at the airport over recent times.

Mayor Burnham said: “All airports have struggled to one extent or another with lengthy queues caused by staffing issues arising from the pandemic. But it is clear that Manchester has faced particular challenges.”

He said bosses at Manchester Airport should have acted much earlier to recruit staff. He also criticised the lack of information being relayed to passengers regarding delays at the site, both prior to their arrival, and on site.

Mayor Burnham added: “While the airport expects that there will be some disruption for the next two months, I want people to be reassured that the airport, supported by colleagues in Greater Manchester, are putting in measures to ease it.”

Those measures include increasing overtime and drafting in temporary staff, as well as improving queue management. Also, more real time information on security queues will be published on the airport website.

Mayor Burnham said: “I have also looked at what more we can do at a Greater Manchester level to ease the pressure.

“Greater Manchester Police have increased police presence at the airport. And I have offered to the airport the services of some of our experienced TfGM staff to assist with queue management and communications to those waiting.”

He added: “Manchester Airport are making huge efforts to recruit staff, but one of the issues they are facing is the length of time it is taking for security checks to be completed – 220 staff have been recruited and are currently awaiting clearance, but the process is taking longer than usual.

“So, I am today writing to the Minister for Security and Borders asking if large airports, such as Manchester, which are experiencing longer waits for vetting, could be prioritised for a period to speed up the process.”