All flights from two terminals at Manchester Airport have been cancelled following a “major power outage” that caused huge queues and disruption to baggage handling.
In a social media post on Sunday, the airport said that no flights would depart from Terminals One and Two “until further notice” following the outage, which affected systems in the early hours of the morning.
Passengers departing from these terminals have been advised not to go to the airport and to contact their airline for up-to-date information.
Following delays to some previous departures, passengers departing from Terminal 3 were told to proceed to the airport as normal unless their airline told them otherwise.
ℹ️ 23.06.24 – 12:15
Information for passengers departing from Manchester Airport today.
If you are affected by the disruption and need to adjust your travel arrangements, please visit our website ➡️ https://t.co/4IIJHDpm0n pic.twitter.com/NqiGB7X0LP
— Manchester Airport (@manairport) 23 June 2024
There have been cases where some people’s luggage was not on the flights.
EasyJet, which operates its flights from Terminal 1, said there were “very long queues” at security and disruptions in baggage handling, leaving passengers unable to board flights with hand luggage only.
It says: “While it is beyond our control, we would like to apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.
“We are doing everything we can and working closely with the airport team to minimise disruption.”
In the meantime, numerous incoming flights have been diverted to other airports.
A Singapore Airlines flight from Houston, Texas, had to transfer to London Heathrow, while another from Singapore had to land at London Gatwick.
An Etihad Airways flight from Abu Dhabi Zayed International Airport was diverted to Birmingham Airport.
Among those affected by the disruption were Samuel Martin, 27, a student at the University of Sheffield, and his friend Matthew O’Brien, 27, an operations manager, whose flight from New Zealand to Manchester Airport was diverted to Heathrow via Singapore.
Mr Martin, from Chesterfield in Derbyshire, said: “Someone came to pick us up from Manchester Airport and had to turn around and drive home.”
The airport said: “We apologize for any inconvenience and are working to restore normal operations as quickly as possible.”
A Virgin Atlantic spokesman said: “Following a widespread power outage at Manchester Airport, baggage systems are currently inoperable.
“Our teams are working closely with the airport authorities and keeping our customers updated with the latest information.
“Virgin Atlantic flights are currently operating but minor delays may occur.”
