Manchester Airport has hit headlines in recent weeks and months as travellers have reported "chaotic" scenes and queues that snake into the car park.
Airport boss Karen Smart quit her role on Tuesday, amid a growing backlash, to pursue "new career opportunities". Manchester Airports Group (MAG), which owns Manchester, Stansted and East Midlands airports confirmed that Karen Smart has decided to leave the business after eight years.
One man who had worked at the airport for 28 years resigned earlier this week "in protest" after weeks of delays and missed flights, Ray Ellis, 54, said the inconvenience passengers are suffering is "unjust".
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After weeks of reported carnage, many who were due to travel today (Wednesday) arrived at the airport a number of hours before their flights were due to depart. To their surprise, they found the check-in process was "no busier than usual".
Manchester Evening News reporter Lyell Tweed booked a flight to Malaga from Terminal One. He flew from the airport on Tuesday, and said there is a "much different feel" and a "sense of calm" today.
He said security queues were coping well, and that they were "nothing compared to recent days". Lyell said: "People (unsurprisingly) were expecting to see huge queues again so have got here too early for check in, only to be met with a much quieter terminal today".
Lyell wasn't the only one. Taking to Twitter, a Miss Mackenzie said: "So stressed about what was going to face us at #Manchesterairport T1 this morning but all fine. Quick through check-in and security no busier than usual. Staff polite and courteous and clearly having to work hard in challenging times!"
Sue Richardson said: "My husband just sailed through check in and security". Mark Garrett said: "Fair play to staff at Terminal 1 this morning. Through security in under 40 mins. Very busy but well managed"
Lyell Tweed said he had been told why the situation may be much calmer today. He said: "For some context, I’m told Wednesday is traditionally a quieter day at airports ‘as it’s in the middle of the week’"
Manchester Airport has continuously apologised to passengers affected by "longer than usual queues".
In a statement on Monday, the airport said: "We are currently facing staff shortages and recruitment challenges as we recover from the most difficult two years in our history, and we apologise to passengers affected by longer than usual queues in recent days.
"We are grateful to all our colleagues for their hard work and dedication, especially during this period of operational pressure. We want to be clear that the safety and security of passengers and colleagues is, and always has been our first priority and we carry our regular reviews of our health and safety policies and procedures. This ensures that all working environments and equipment used by team members remain safe and secure."
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