Passengers line up outside Terminal 1 following overnight disruptions and cancellations caused by a power outage at Manchester Airport in Manchester, UK, on June 23, 2024. (Image: Reuters)
In Summary:
- A major power cut early this morning caused widespread flight delays and cancellations at Manchester Airport.
- Passengers traveling from Terminals 1 and 2 are advised to stay away, while those at Terminal 3 may face delays.
Manchester Airport, one of the UK’s busiest airports, faced significant disruptions this morning due to a major power cut.
The outage, which occurred in the early hours, affected a large number of flights, particularly from Terminals 1 and 2.
In a statement, the airport reported that power has since been restored. However, the aftermath of the outage means many flights are likely to be delayed or canceled.
“Manchester Airport was affected by a major power cut in the area earlier this morning. This has caused widespread disruption, and a significant number of flights, particularly from Terminals 1 and 2, are expected to be delayed or canceled,” the airport stated.
Passengers scheduled to fly from Terminals 1 and 2 have been advised not to come to the airport until further notice and to contact their airlines for updates.
For those flying from Terminal 3, travel should proceed as normal, although delays are still possible.
The power cut has also caused large queues and long waiting times at the airport.
Travelers like Bobbi Hadgraft, who was heading to watch England at Euro 2024, described seeing “enormous queues” and significant confusion due to display boards and scanners being down.
Airport personnel were manually inspecting passports and boarding passes, according to travelers at the airport. File Photo
Phillip Banfield shared his frustration after his plane took off while he was stuck in passport control, surrounded by stranded passengers.
The airport has apologized for the inconvenience, noting that the disruption comes at the start of the summer holiday season.
Efforts are ongoing to prioritize flights for those already at the airport and to address the backlog caused by the outage. The power cut also impacted other businesses in the surrounding area, including major logistics firms.
Social media has been flooded with complaints about long queues, lack of communication, and chaotic conditions, with images showing passengers waiting in near darkness.
The airport emphasized that it is working to get systems up and running again but warned that it will take time.
In light of the disruptions, arriving flights are being diverted to other airports. Anyone planning to pick up passengers from Manchester Airport is advised to check the latest information before traveling.
The airport continues to coordinate with airlines and authorities to minimize further inconvenience to passengers.