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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Travel
Helen Coffey,Simon Calder and Lucy Thackray

Airport chaos – live: Queues stretch outside terminal buildings ahead of Easter weekend

Getty Images

Tuesday has brought more flight cancellations and chaotic scenes at the UK’s airports as staff shortages continue to impact on travellers’ plans.

Huge queues were seen at Manchester and Birmingham airports this morning, with photos taken at the former showing passengers snaking in lines that reached outside the terminal building.

One airport recruitment expert said staffing issues could affect aviation for the next year.

Kully Sandhu, the managing director of Aviation Recruitment Network Limited, told BBC Radio 4’s Today Programme he currently had more than 300 live vacancies on his site.

“My personal opinion, it is going to take at least the next 12 months for the industry vacancy-wise to settle down,” he said.

Meanwhile, easyJet and British Airways continue to cancel flights, having axed more than 80 scheduled services between them today.

Their main bases, London Heathrow and London Gatwick, are worst affected.

Both airlines have blamed a shortage of staff due to Covid-related absences.

Follow the latest updates below.

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