Following news that Metrolink bosses are considering allowing dogs on trams, we want to hear what you think about the issue.
06.04.2022 - 20:17 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Police and transport staff will be parachuted in to help Manchester Airport, while passengers will get real time online queuing information and the option to check-in their bags the night before their flight as part of a new action plan to solve a staffing crisis.
In a statement which criticises Manchester Airport for acting too late on recruitment, insufficient communication to passengers and management of queues, Mayor Andy Burnham has revealed measures to ease the ongoing crisis at the hub, caused mainly by a staff shortage. He also warned that 'disruption' was expected to continue for 'two months'.
While Greater Manchester's councils are majority shareholders in Manchester Airports Group (MAG), the day-to-day operation is usually outside the remit of both the town halls and the Mayor's office. However, Mr Burnham said they would 'work to support them in any way they can' until they have resolved the issues caused by the pandemic.
The Mayor said this would include an increased police presence at the hub, while transport staff from the bus and tram network would be drafted in to help with 'queue management and communication'.
READ MORE: It was once a source of pride... but now that's finished - so why is Manchester Airport in such a mess?
Amid long waits for Home Office security clearance for new recurits, the mayor said he would also write to the Minister for Security and Borders asking if airports including Manchester could be prioritised in the process. This could mean that the 220 staff currently waiting to start at the hub could be out on the floor sooner.
The plan also includes:
In a statement following a meeting with the senior management team at Manchester Airport, Mr Burnham said: "Sadly, the disruption is
Following news that Metrolink bosses are considering allowing dogs on trams, we want to hear what you think about the issue.
Andy Burnham has highlighted the staggering cost of rail travel in the UK by pointing out it's cheaper to fly to Jamaica than to get a train from Manchester to London. In a tweet that has been liked more than 14,000 times, the Mayor of Greater Mancheste r shared a screenshot of £369.40 anytime return ticket from Manchester Piccadilly to London Euston for Monday morning.
Mayor Andy Burnham has said that the ‘hangover’ facing the hospitality industry in the wake of the pandemic is going to be ‘with us for a long time’. Burnham was speaking at the launch of a new Night Time Economy Strategy from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, devised by Manchester’s night time economy advisor Sacha Lord.
Bus services across Greater Manchester are heading for a revamp with extra funding in the pipeline and mayor Andy Burnham's plans to take them under public control. But we want to know which changes you think should be a priority?
Manchester Metrolink could run a trial allowing dogs on trams for the first time in their history.
Holidaymakers have described queues for TUI check-in at Manchester Airport this morning as 'shambolic.' Shocking pictures show passengers in what have been described as 'mile-long' queues at Terminal Two.
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has welcomed GMP's apology to three victims of grooming gangs in Rochdale.
Passengers flying from Manchester Airport have been hit by more delays this morning as travellers reported 90-minute wait times for security and queues reaching the terminal's car park.
Three new railway stations have been mooted for Rochdale in a bid to improve the borough's links with Manchester and the wider city region. While residents can hop on a train in Rochdale and be in the city centre within 15 minutes, there are concerns other parts of the borough are less well served.
A local travel agent office has offered holidaymakers advice for jetting off from Manchester Airport amidst the chaos after some airlines started offering "twilight check-in".
Manchester Airport has seen an increasing number of problems over the past few weeks, and we want to hear your views on it in our survey.
A family who missed their flight due to the Manchester Airport queueing chaos still weren't allowed to board when their plane turned back due to a medical emergency.
Thousands of businesses across Greater Manchester can claim business rate relief from the council, but the deadline is fast approaching. The funding, offering financial help with business rates for companies across Greater Manchester is part of the £1.5 billion government package to support businesses affected by Covid.
The continuing mayhem at Manchester Airport is an example of the damage the re-emergence of Covid is doing to our working age population, Wigan’s director of public health has said.
Passengers were again greeted by 'scary' long queues at Manchester Airport this morning as the 'chaos' caused by staff shortages continues.
Chaos has emerged at Manchester Airport as passengers are facing severely long queues and extended flight delays. In recent days there have been scenes of boxes piled sky-high, holidaymakers 'jumping' over barriers and frustrated passengers abandoning their bags in the baggage reclaim hall.
The unfolding mayhem at Manchester Airport is down to a 'failure of management' and could continue for WEEKS - even into the summer - a Manchester councillor has said. The criticisms come after the M.E.N. reported huge security queues and hours of flight delays, passengers abandoning their suitcases after waiting long enough and baggage handlers who are ‘under more stress than ever’.