British airports explode and scatter

On Tuesday, May 31, 2022, British tabloids wrote, “The pilot called on the police to release a large number of passengers from the plane.” “Daily Mail”. This is one of the many reports describing the current chaos at British airports. But this news describes it very interestingly.

But let’s start from the beginning: just a few days before Tuesday, major airports such as Manchester, Dublin and London had large queues before check-in, package drop-off and security checks. Passengers sometimes waited three to seven hours to reach their gate. Thus, hundreds of passengers did not board the plane on time. The pictures on this chaotic weekend are an impressive testimony:

A group of tourists who wanted to fly from Manchester to Tenerife heard about the recent traffic jams at British airports. They allowed ample time for check-in, package drop and security checks.

All passengers boarded the plane. So this ban was broken. Let the holidays begin! In fact.

But then something came up. Because the wait on the plane continued. The plane did not move a millimeter – passengers had to wait about three hours in the middle of the runway.

Then suddenly the whole crew disappeared.

Intercom informed passengers that their flight may be canceled. Reason: Ground staff needed more time to load luggage. Meanwhile the crew got off the plane. Only the pilot and passengers sat in the chair. As the passengers were leaving the plane, he contacted police. The tour group then waited three hours for the police to “release” them from the plane.

For the “Daily Mail” this is not a big story. Because it shows the full extent of the travel chaos.

Tenerife was a nightmare for travelers – but only for one night. The flight was postponed to the next day and the passengers got one night hotel accommodation as compensation.

But in the coming weeks the problem will get worse. The high season has not yet begun.

The military should help the flight attendants

Rynair boss Michael O’Leary knows this too. So it is clear to him that a solution is needed soon. The Irish businessman also has advice on how to deal with chaos: with British forces.

Instead of criticizing the airport and the airlines, O’Leary suggests that the government call in the military. Players can assist at various airports on weekends. “Bringing in the military will free up airports in a single breath, as it does at many European airports.”

The head of a low-cost airline does not advise a single action, but must order in several months. It would be great if the Army could extend a helping hand to the flight crew by the end of the summer vacation in September.

The Ministry of Transport has refused

His proposal met with little fertile ground in the British transport sector: “Operators must ensure that airports and airlines have adequate staff”.

Transportation spokeswoman Sarah Olney did not hesitate to comment: “The chaotic scenes at the airports were utterly devastating. So it would be a good idea to involve the military in doing things again. “The last word has not yet been spoken. (cst / watson.ch)