By North East Lincolnshire travel agent blames ‘short-sighted’ aviation bosses
Ministers have blamed the long queues and cancellations at airports on aviation bosses, referencing the treatment of employees during the pandemic.
The GMB union said that cutting skilled workers was ‘short-sighted’.
Reports have circulated that airlines have struggled to recruit and fill vacant roles, including security clearances for the recruits.
Planet Radio reported a travel agent in Hull and North East Lincolnshire talked more about the challenges faced.
“The whole industry within travel has tried to lower its cost basis as low as it could be.
“I think the current squeeze that we’re seeing where we’re not able to recruit into the industry that’s going to have to have an impact and people are going to have to pay more to travel if we’re going to get over this hump.
“Several people have reported long delays to baggage after returning to the UK.
“Two people affected by flights being cancelled when they’ve been due to travel out.
“That person has told me there’s baggage everywhere and it’s absolute carnage at Manchester airport- People don’t know what’s going on.”
“Most of this seems to be staffing issues.”
Airlines have been told to encourage their passengers to continue wearing face coverings on flights to or from destinations that still enforce mandatory mask-wearing on public transport.
Additionally, airlines are being advised to keep track of passenger locator information in case the data is needed in the future – if a new variant outbreak emerges, for example.
“From next week, face masks will no longer need to be mandatory in air travel in all cases, broadly aligning with the changing requirements of national authorities across Europe for public transport,”, EASA executive director Patrick Ky said.
“It is a relief to all of us that we are finally reaching a stage in the pandemic where we can start to relax the health safety measures”, he added.
