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Bristol Post
Bristol Post
National
Shashana Brown

Bristol Airport 'under pressure' as 120 flights scheduled to depart today

Airports across the UK have felt immense pressure over the last few weeks with the half-term rush causing an unprecedented number of passengers to jet off for foreign holidays.

Bristol Airport said it has been "working hard to meet the post-Covid challenges" such as the recruitment of more than 300 new staff.

But with 300,000 passengers expected to travel during its busiest period since 2019, the airport's congestion issues appear to be far from over.

Read more: Bristol Airport LIVE - Bank holiday 'carnage' claims amid rush of Jubilee weekend flights

A spokesperson for the airport said on Friday morning: "We've been working hard to meet the post-Covid challenges, including recruiting and training over 300 new colleagues, making additional overtime payments, and our entire management team working in frontline roles each week."

Around 120 flights are scheduled to take off from Bristol Airport today but it's claimed that the back to back departures have caused "enormous" queues and security delays again this morning (June 3) with passengers who have described the scenes as "horrific".

A Bristol Airport spokesperson added: "Around 120 flights are scheduled to take off from Bristol Airport today. Our early morning period has always been busy as travellers want to fly first thing to make the most of their trip away.

Adding: "During the busy summer period, customers are advised to check with the airline when their check-in/ bag drop desk opens and arrive in the terminal at this time. Customers are advised not to arrive early as check-in and security may not be open – adding to the congestion."

Last Friday, Richard Thomasson, head of customer operations said that customers arriving five hours before their early morning flight is "something we have not experienced before".

"When customers are queuing before check-in and security opens it provides a negative customer experience for everyone, and one we want to avoid," he added.

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