TRAVELLERS jetting off on holiday face mega delays at two major UK airports.
Passengers are stuck in huge queues at Manchester and Bristol terminals, with some waiting more than three hours to check in.
One holidaymaker, Shelle Rodway, said on Twitter: "Absolute shambles at Bristol Airport this morning.
"With summer season approaching, you need to sort this out.
"Nearly two hours from bag drop and through security."
And Gary Hindhaugh described his experience at Manchester Airport as "an absolute disgrace".
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He added: "Going out on holiday, three-hour queues to check in through TUI and security.
"Two-hour delay due to baggage loaded late.
"Today on our return, a two-hour delay getting out bags. Shambles."
Many UK airports have been plagued by queueing chaos thanks to significant staff shortages.
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Travellers have complained of mammoth lines at check-in desks and severe hold-ups through security.
The problems, which also include difficulty recruiting, have pushed several airlines to cancel huge numbers of flights.
And industry experts have warned Brits to get to arrive in plenty of time to avoid missing take-off.
Janine Blackburn, who was travelling through Manchester Airport yesterday, said: "As if it wasn't bad enough taking three hours to get through, [I'm] now delayed because passengers can't get to the gate on time," she said.
George, who was stuck in a queue out of the doors at Bristol Airport, said: "Bloody hell. This massive queue just for security? Sort your s*** out."
Steffan Clifton, also in Bristol, said: "What a shocking morning here.
"Supposed to be jetting off to Amsterdam 15 minutes ago but no flight, delayed two hours and 45 minutes. Holiday ruined."
Have you been affected by major airport disruption? Email [email protected]
And one Twitter user was left in the lurch on the runway at thee same airport due to a lack of staff.
"We can't get off the plane because 'there's no one to attach the stairs'," they said.
"There really is no hope for this airport."
There are now fears the travel mayhem could continue for the next year.
Kully Sandhu, managing director of the Aviation Recruitment Network, warned it could take "at least the next 12 months for the industry, vacancy wise, to settle down".
He said it wasn't just Covid causing problems in hiring new staff, of which he said there were more than 300 vacancies across UK airports, but also Brexit.
He told the BBC: "Brexit has not helped because we had a natural attraction of individuals from the European market who would apply for vacancies in UK airports.
"We no longer have that talent pool, and we are relying on individuals in the UK."
A spokesperson for Bristol Airport said of today's chaos: "We apologise to customers impacted by above average queue times early on Wednesday, May 4.
"We work closely with all business partners to ensure staffing levels are sufficient to provide a good service to passengers.
"However, on some occasions staff shortages can impact on waiting times and service standards.
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"We constantly review resourcing across all areas and adapt plans to meet demand and build in resilience where possible.
"During the busy summer season we advise all customers to arrive in the terminal a minimum of two hours before scheduled flight departure time to allow sufficient time to complete all the necessary check-in, bag-drop, security, and boarding processes ahead of their flight."
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