Security checks for new airport bag handlers are being fast-tracked in a desperate attempt to salvage Brits’ summer getaways.
Airport staff shortages, com- pounded by a new wave of Covid, mean that travellers have suffered months of chaotic delays, cancellations and lost luggage.
More scrapped flights are set to be announced within days and Ryanair and easyJet crews are striking in Spain and Europe this weekend.
An industry insider said: “Getting enough staff in the right places is our best, and last, hope to save summer holidays.” The misery is set to continue as schools start breaking up.
In the past month, airlines cut 611 flights from their July 1-7 schedule, data company Cirium found.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has now said counter-terror clearance is down from 20 days in March to 10 – and airside aviation staff are at the top of the queue for suitability checks by police and MI5.
They include baggage X-ray screeners, coach drivers and maintenance crews.
Mr Shapps said: “The Government is doing its bit to help deliver for passengers. Now the industry must fulfil its responsibilities.
“People have made huge sacrifices during the pandemic and deserve their flights to run on time without being cancelled last minute.”
Staff will be able to train while waiting for security clearance or references from previous employers.
And HMRC employment letters will be enough to get hired.
Airports and airlines have been blamed for flight disruption as they took government grants while shedding jobs when planes were grounded by Covid curbs. Unite boss Sharon Graham said: “Our money was handed over to firms without any strings attached.
“They did not protect jobs. Many just used public money to prop up their share price.”
British Airways got rid of 10,000 staff and is now trying to lure ground handlers back with £1,000 golden hellos. Mr Shapps is eager to avoid a repeat of Easter’s airport chaos, when flights were cancelled at the last minute, and has told airlines that if they are scrapping services, they must do so in good time.
Yesterday the new managing director of Manchester Airport said he was working to address the woes but is “not there yet”.
Chris Woodroofe, who took on the role two weeks ago, said: “Passengers won’t have the sort of experience they had in 2019 this summer but my priority is to get them on their way so they get to have their holidays.”
Celebrity hairstylist Michael Charalambous faced a 28-hour delay as he travelled from Luton to Larnaca in Cyprus, for a family wedding this week. His Wizz flight was due to leave on Thursday morning but did not depart until Friday evening.
He told the Sunday People : “It was just awful, no one was there to give us any answers.
“All the hotels were full so we had to sleep on the airport floor, it was filthy, people were in tears.
“They gave us a £4 voucher to buy food, but that wasn’t enough for the cheapest sandwich.”
There may be some consolation for Brits stuck here – a 10-day, 30C heatwave is forecast for mid-July.
