Manchester airport worst for queues
[17th March 2008]
Manchester airport has the worst combined delays at security and passport control in the UK, but Heathrow is still worst for queues at security.
The figures have been compiled by website ukairportdelays.co.uk based on reports by airport users. Average delays reported at Manchester airport were 23 minutes at security, but a whopping 44 minutes at passport control.
In contrast queues at security at Heathrow airport averaged 47 minutes, but queues at passport control at Heathrow averaged only 15 minutes. Next worst for delays at security was East Midlands airport with average reported delays of 44 minutes, followed by Birmingham airport 40 minutes, Liverpool airport 32 minutes, and Glasgow airport 25 minutes. Much maligned Gatwick airport came in 14th worst of the 21 UK airports covered with average delays at security of 21 minutes.
The best airport for security queues is London City airport, where average delays are 0 minutes. Next best with average delays of 2 minutes are Bristol airport and Coventry airport, followed by four airports with delays of 5 minutes – Newcastle airport, Southampton airport, Bournemouth airport and Prestwick airport.
One of the most frustrating things at airports is having to queue at immigration after flying back into the UK. After Manchester airport, the next worst UK airports for queues at passport control are Liverpool airport where average reported delays are 29 minutes, Stansted airport (22 minutes), East Midlands airport (19 minutes) and Luton airport and Heathrow airport (both 15 minutes).
London City airport, which is used principally for business travel, is joint best for passport control with Glasgow airport, Coventry airport and Prestwick airport. Average delays at all these airports are 0 minutes.
Manchester airport challenges the figures compiled by ukairportdelays.co.uk. Director of customer service and security Mike Fazackerley told crainsmanchesterbusiness.co.uk: “Around 89 per cent of our passengers have queued for less than eight minutes for security. Our target is 95 per cent and the airport has committed more than £20 million to building new security search areas and the recruitment of nearly 200 additional staff, to achieve it. With the current additional security restrictions applying in the UK this is a very challenging target but we are absolutely clear that ensuring the safety of our customers is our most important concern.”
Written by: Nick Purdom