THOUSANDS of passengers were facing cancellations and huge delays at Manchester Airport today after apower failure caused early morning chaos.
Forty-eight domestic and European flights had to be cancelled after a flood in a plant room in one of the airport’s office buildings caused power failures in all three terminals at 5.30am.
Holidaymakers joined queues that stretched out of the doors, many waiting more than four hours to check in manually.
Hundreds crammed into the terminal buildings and huge piles of bags littered the floor.
Many other passengers were driven by coach to other airports in a bid to clear the backlog.
Systems were back up and running by 8am but it was expected to take most of the morning and into the early afternoon before all flights were back to normal.
Airport bosses were, however, advising passengers to arrive as normal.
Alan Nicholls, from Rossendale, was due to fly with his family to Palma, Majorca, Mallorca, at 8.20am but he was still waiting to check in their baggage at Terminal 1 at 8.40. He said: “We arrived at 6am and straight away we realised there were problems because the lights were out.
“The information we have received has been a bit sketchy.
“We’re due to go on a cruise from Palma this evening and we believe we’ll still make it.”
Scores of passengers were waiting outside Terminal 3 for replacement coaches to other airports including Heathrow.
Australian Frank Bowen said: “Our British Airways’ flight to Heathrow has been cancelled and we’re waiting for a replacement bus.
“We’re a group of 14 and have been in the UK for 10 days. We’re due to be flying back this morning but will have missed our connection. The organisation has been terrible.”
Christine Mycock, from Stockport, said: “I’ve been here since 7am. I’ve checked in manually but still have my bags to check in.
“I’m catching an Air Canada flight to Toronto and hopefully I’ll get through on time.
“It’s not too bad here but the European check-ins are packed.”
A spokesman for Manchester Airport said: “At 5.30am this morning Manchester Airport suffered a power outage in all three terminals caused by a flood in a plant room in one of the office buildings.
“Power was restored at 8am but as a result of this incident 48 domestic and European flights have been cancelled and a number of others have been delayed.”
Click here for information from Manchester Airport
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Airport hit by black-out
August 07, 2007
Comments
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That's simply not true! The blackout apparently started at 4.45, and was well under way when I arrived at 5.20, and a large number of flights were cancelled - at least 5 whilst I was in the aiport (including my own). BMI made announcements stating that flights were cancellled and there were no available spaces on fligths later that day.
airport managers are busy trying to figure out how to charge the customers extra disruption
RGW: That's what you get for flying BMI.... the only airline to fly ER4's into Heathrow...
Your Airport spokeswoman is wrong or simply incompetent. Numerous flights have been cancelled. BMI Baby escorted passengers already checked in off airport passengers. No information is available re refunds or replacement flights. Customer service lines are permanently engaged. The spokeswoman needs a new job - she can't do the one she's in now. It's chaos and a pathetic indictment of Manchester Airport.
MYT332: - Thanks! Although I was flying BA..
The Airport is a disgrace, constant refurbishment, long queues to check in and security lanes like disneyland, with queues to match! too much spent on opening shops and not more security lanes & staff, one bag only through security yet you can spend, spend, spend at the other end and take that on board! no drop offs or pick ups near where you want to be, its all profit, profit, profit. we work hard for our holidays and we should enjoy the airport, not anymore! We are all terrorised without blowing up the airport anyway.
The Right to Reply: Couldn't agree more. I dropped relatives off on friday night. What a palava.
This is all due to a miniscule minority who think they are fighting for something worth fighting for (but can't explain what it is).
This government needs to clamp down hard on anyone promoting, supporting or talking about terrorism. Anyone convicted should be returned to their place of origin; if 'British' they should be made to live in Birmingham as a punishment.
The security checks are in place for a reason, the passengers who simply turn up without finding out what they can and cany take are responsible for the long queues. I recently travelled with a toddler, i had to find out prior to arriving what i needed to do in order to pass through without any problems, peoples ignorance and laziness is too blame.
More airport traffic means more staff needed to cope and extra space/security lanes(not shops) to deal with prosessing such, dont simply blame people that want there 2 weeks holidays, for the delays, yes they can get the rules etc before hand, but the rules are a joke! the so called terrorists have already won, no liquids, long delays at security, long check in delays, no pick ups nearby or drop offs, if the so called terrorists really wanted to blow up the airport anyone can see how easy it is to do so without a repeat performance of Glasgow! knee jerk rules introduced by a inept goverment that simply ruin eveyones airport experience, this is an airport that is not up to speed or size whatsoever to deal with todays volume demands. and is all about PROFIT! never mind the families and staff that have to put up with all the stress! GET IT SORTED YOU BRAINLESS SUITS!We have little to enjoy in this country as it stands!
I think what people fail to realise is what a hard job the security guards actually do.
People complain about the queues at security and the so called ridiculous rules they have to obey. Don't people realise this is for your own safety? Would you rather go back tot he way things were and risk another 9/11 incident?
I think rather than chastising these very hard working individuals we should be applauding them. after all, without them travel would be more unsafe than ever.
They are on the front-line and do a hard job against constant critism and people who think that they have a right to break the rules put in place for their own safety!
Get a grip people and thank these men and women for doing their jobs!
I have a lot to enjoy in this country, you sound like you need a holiday yourself, remember the rules to ensure your speedy transit through security.
With the increasing evidence of human made, climate change,(as confirmed by science ,as seen in the physical geographical evidence across the world),I hoped that more people might consider not flying.But when the floods swept across Britain,many people just booked a flight out of the country.It's not a very reassuring response.