TUI Airways has cancelled nearly 200 flights between now and the end of June as the chaos faced by UK holidaymakers worsens.
TUI, Europe’s biggest tourism firm, is cancelling six flights a day for the rest of June amid fears airport chaos could now last the entire summer.
The airline made the announcement after passengers suffered long delays in recent days due to staff shortages.
Around two million people are set to fly over the Jubilee bank holiday weekend but yesterday saw yet more chaos at Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester and Bristol.
EasyJet cancelled 42 flights at Gatwick as British Airways continued to scrap dozens more.
Airline passengers have been hit by disruption for several months, with the situation worsening this week due to the rise in demand sparked by the half-term school holiday and the Platinum Jubilee bank holiday period.
The aviation industry is suffering from staff shortages after letting thousands of people go during the coronavirus pandemic.
Read our TUI cancellations live blog below for the latest updates…
- Joseph Gamp
'Problems could get worse' says travel expert
Travel expert Nicky Kelvin, head of The Points Guy UK, warned: “As flights and passenger numbers increase, problems could get worse. It’s important that passengers stay regularly updated.
“It may also be worth paying for extra privileges, such as priority security lanes or access to lounges, to make the airport experience better and more efficient.”
- Joseph Gamp
Labour accuses Government of being 'missing in action'
Shadow transport secretary Louise Haigh accused the Government of being "missing in action".
"Tory ministers can't even get the basics right," she said.
"They should show some responsibility, do their job, and take concrete steps to tackle the chaos growing on their watch."
- Joseph Gamp
TUI cancels 200 flights in and out of Manchester Airport
Tui Airways has cancelled nearly 200 flights due to serve Manchester Airport between now and the end of June as the chaos faced by UK holidaymakers worsens.
The airline made the announcement after passengers suffered long delays in recent days due to staff shortages.
It will cancel six daily flights up to June 30, including to destinations such as Spain's Canary Islands.
Other airlines are continuing to axe flights, and passengers are being forced to wait in long queues at airports such as Manchester, Heathrow, Gatwick and Bristol.
Airline passengers have been hit by disruption for several months, with the situation worsening this week due to the rise in demand sparked by the half-term school holiday and the Platinum Jubilee bank holiday period.
The aviation industry is suffering from staff shortages after letting thousands of people go during the coronavirus pandemic.
Airlines and airports repeatedly called for more financial support during the Covid-19 crisis as Government travel restrictions suppressed demand.
They are now struggling to recruit new workers and have their security checks processed.
- Joseph Gamp
Heathrow passengers say they've 'never seen' queues as long as yesterday
Heathrow passengers trying to board their flights claimed they had "never" seen queues as long as those on Tuesday morning.
Passengers have been hit by disruption for several months, with the situation worsening this week due to the rise in demand sparked by the half-term school holiday and the Platinum Jubilee bank holiday period.
The aviation industry is suffering from staff shortages after laying thousands of people off during the coronavirus pandemic and is struggling to recruit more.
Airlines and airports repeatedly called for more financial support during the Covid-19 crisis as Government restrictions suppressed demand.
- Joseph Gamp
Raab accuses airlines of 'lack of preparation'
Deputy prime minister Dominic Raab has accused airlines of a "lack of preparation" ahead of the holiday surge.
He told Sky News: "It's good news that more holidaymakers got the confidence post-Covid pandemic to book these flights.
"Throughout the pandemic, the Government provided £8 billion of support.
"There's been some tweaks to the regulation to make it easier for the airline industry to hire.
"I think also, there's clearly been a lack of preparation for that surge back of demand of holidaymakers.
"Grant Shapps has been talking to the industry for months now, saying 'This will come and that you need to make sure you've got your recruitment in place'.
"So I know there's a bit of finger-pointing going on at the moment, but that's the support and that's the advice."
He added: "I don't think the airline operators have done the recruitment that they should have done, and taken the advice that the transport secretary gave them."
- Joseph Gamp
Shapps says 'the Government has done its part'
Airlines had hoped for a bumper summer for passengers after two years of COVID-19 travel restrictions.
But they have struggled to recruit staff after the turmoil of the pandemic, and complained that it is taking longer to recruit new employees and vet them for security clearance.
Shapps said that the government had helped the industry by changing the law to speed up the recruitment of staff, adding that he would meet industry officials to get answers on what had gone wrong and how the current disruption can end.
"I also want to be reassured on their plans for the upcoming summer holidays," he said.
"Government has done its part. It is now on airports, airlines and ground handlers to make sure everyones well deserved holidays can go ahead free from the major disruption we've seen in recent days."
- Joseph Gamp
Grant Shapps tells airlines to stop selling tickets for flights they can't staff
Britain's Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has told airlines to stop selling tickets for flights they cannot staff after a spate of airline cancellations caused widespread disruption for holidaymakers.
Airports across Europe have struggled to cope with the rebound in demand but British airports are facing a particularly difficult week as a school half-term holiday combines with a long Jubilee public holiday weekend.
Airports faced similar queues over the Easter vacation, and Shapps said that while some steps had been taken, there had not been the progress that is needed.
"We need to make sure there is no repeat of the scenes witnessed over the last few days. Despite government warnings, operators seriously oversold flights and holidays relative to their capacity to deliver," Shapps said.
"This must not happen again and all efforts should be directed at there being no repeat of this over the summer."
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