Manchester Airport - General Thread

[LS@MAN]

I can't find how to edit my last post, but add Emirates to the list of airlines based in T1 that will remain...for now.

Sorry…I missed off Icelandair too…

 

[Paul65]

Very risky is an understatement, I would suggest virtually suicidal

I have to say for separate ticket where you have to collect bags and recheck with a scheduled arrival of 1145 and departure of 1335 in different terminals you were very very lucky to get away with this. You really need to leave more than that, as you noted you basically had virtually no padding at all since you needed to get to check in by 1235. 15 minutes arrival delay which is not exactly unheard of and you would have been screwed.

There are domestic arrivals in to T1, Easyjet use it for BHD for example and BA used it for many months. I don't know exactly why Blue Islands exit from T3 though.

In fairness, I had noted that five out of the previous six arrivals of SI1162 had landed before 11.30 (actual flight time from EXT is 50mins, although it is booked as 80mins). I fully accept I had no 'padding' though (indeed if I had attempted the same journey the preceding Thursday I wouldn't have made it!) I also figured I would know before departing EXT whether I was going to make it or not, but hadn't factored in the inability of Swissport to let arriving passengers inside the terminal promptly, at least it wasn't raining!

Thanks to Scottie Dog for contacting me off list about my arrivals experience too, much appreciated. Blue Islands just say "Terminal 1" for Manchester (as does the MAN web-site), there is no mention of arrivals actually being at T3 and departures being T1.

I definitely agree an inter-terminal shuttle bus would be a good idea until the Skylink travelators are fixed. Perhaps it could run as an extension to the car park buses, rather than the airport have to find additional resource in these Covid times when money is tight. I guess the airport's counter-argument would be that those doing official (airside) connections are already catered for (and risk takers like me can take our chances! )

 

[LS@MAN]

I found this on twitter…one example of servere delays at security over the weekend I believe!
No short term solution I don’t think, I know the airport has been advertising for new security staff for a few months now, but this can’t continue…I hope management are working on this now!

A disgrace!!!! The worst airport in the world!! Took me 2 hours to go through security- what is this???? Restaurants, taxfree- empty! WHY? - Well because noone has got the time!, everyone needs to run from the security- worst airport experience I've ever had!!!

 

[Llandudno]

I found this on twitter…one example of servere delays at security over the weekend I believe!
No short term solution I don’t think, I know the airport has been advertising for new security staff for a few months now, but this can’t continue…I hope management are working on this now!

A disgrace!!!! The worst airport in the world!! Took me 2 hours to go through security- what is this???? Restaurants, taxfree- empty! WHY? - Well because noone has got the time!, everyone needs to run from the security- worst airport experience I've ever had!!!

the problem is, no one wants to come to the aviation industry right now. Jobs are open but no one wants them. The fact that travel restrictions come and go means the industry is so uncertain. Airlines, airports and suppliers alike are struggling.

In the USA, airlines are so desperate, they are offering their cabin crew $1000 bonuses if they turn up for every shift until end of Dec.

British Airways reported to be struggling hiring crew, Easyjet have hundreds of vacancies open. Swissport have basically no ramp teams, Dnata at MAN held an open day and took just one person on.

it’s tough out there. And the fact that even if you do take on people, they need training up. This isn’t a ‘just click your fingers’ problem.

 

[LS@MAN]

the problem is, no one wants to come to the aviation industry right now. Jobs are open but no one wants them. The fact that travel restrictions come and go means the industry is so uncertain. Airlines, airports and suppliers alike are struggling.

In the USA, airlines are so desperate, they are offering their cabin crew $1000 bonuses if they turn up for every shift until end of Dec.

British Airways reported to be struggling hiring crew, Easyjet have hundreds of vacancies open. Swissport have basically no ramp teams, Dnata at MAN held an open day and took just one person on.

it’s tough out there. And the fact that even if you do take on people, they need training up. This isn’t a ‘just click your fingers’ problem.

Indeed…a difficult time in general for the industry.
Most stories I hear of are relating to MAN or LHR, but no surprise given these are the two busiest airports in the UK right now.
Surly other European airports are struggling too…

 

[Bilko]

Hi good folks.

One for today the new Aer Lingus JFK route had 65 inbound this morning and 135 on the outbound. Not too bad for second day I'd say an A321 better suited to the route though.

Bilko

 

[marni1971]

I’ll go into more detail shortly, but we flew through T2X last weekend.

Departures at 4am Saturday - 11 minutes in security.

Arrivals - 9pm Monday - 12 minutes from entering security area to leaving the building with suitcase.

 

[Llandudno]

Hi good folks.

One for today the new Aer Lingus JFK route had 65 inbound this morning and 135 on the outbound. Not too bad for second day I'd say an A321 better suited to the route though.

Bilko

The flight was only ever sold to the A321 capacity but there is talk of using the A330 over the summer.

 

[Bilko]

Morning Scottie

Could you send me your email address to my personal email.

Cheers Bilko.

 

[Paul65]

Then they could do with running an inter-terminal shuttle bus via the ground transport interchange until it is fixed. That hike is not fair on passengers, and for some even moderately fit older people it is a major challenge with luggage.

Perhaps some progress on this? Spotted this sign at T1 a couple of days ago...

 

[Bilko]

Hi folks.

Just some pax figures as follows.

Saturday 11th December

EK17 inbound 480 out had 455

Etihad inbound 334 ( 787-10 ) out had 223

Aer Lingus JFK departure had 120.

Today Sunday

Singapore in had 158 and 76 out to Houston.

Cheers folks.

 

[Scottie Dog]

Good figures and many thanks for posting.

For information the EY B78X has 336 seats, and the EG (Aer Lingus UK) A321 has 184. I need to check the specific EK aircraft but it normally varies between 491 and 519.

On checking the EK18 on 11th December wars A6-EUD which, according to Planespotters.net is configured with 519 seats. SQ51 has 253 seats.

Edited: To update EK & SQ seating configurations

 

[mullion]

interesting seating A6-EUD Scottie bit cramped I would think

 

[Scottie Dog]

Oops - suitable re-edidited!!

 

[mullion]

Ha Ha that was good I think we needed a little laugh as things are too heavy at moment

 

[CM.]

Saudia restarts services to Jeddah from Tommorow along with Sun Express new service to Antalya by SPD travels.

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[LS@MAN]

I really sympathise with the airport and the general aviation industry at the moment…it really hurts me to see what has happened and continues to happen

Again tonight (as of last night) there is a major shortage of staff.
Security queues into the check in hall, aircraft waiting for ground crew to turn the safedock on etc etc.

I’m flying to Malaga at 4.10pm tomorrow. I will arrive at the airport around 11am as we will be visiting the lounge in T1 for a few hours (hopefully) before the flight.

May I take this opportunity to wish everyone a merry Christmas and all the best for 2022.
Staff safe and healthy!

 

[Scottie Dog]

Totally agree with you.

Every best wish to you for Christmas & the New Year.

 

[lfc84]

Reports of queues to enter the departure lounge of over 2 hours last night. Is there any end in sight to this ?
I have flights in February, April and June ex MAN. I'll seriously consider changing departure airport if there's no prospect of improvement

 

[Scottie Dog]

The airport clearly has a problem. Staff levels have dropped significantly during the Covid-19 outbreak - I want go into all the reasons - and the airport has apparently been unable to recruit new staff quickly enough.

Hopefully the problem will be overcome before passengers - such as yourself - talk by "walking".