Airlines face cancelling even more flights this summer – with problems to ‘go on for years’

HOLIDAYMAKERS could be hit with delays and problems at airports this summer, due to staff shortages.

The chaos could last throughout the busy summer months, with the staffing issues expected to last for the next two years.

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Last-minute disruption may become a frequent problem for passengers because National Air Traffic Services (Nats) is struggling to replace retiring air traffic controllers.

As many as a third of its controllers could leave in the space of five years, all of whom will need replacing.

Air traffic control problems affected hundreds of flights last summer, particularly at airports like Gatwick, Heathrow and Glasgow.

While Nats has said they have enough staff members to cope with this year’s demands, insiders have warned that delays and disruption are likely.

One retired controller with contacts working for Nats revealed to The Sun that the problem “will go on for a couple of years at least”. 

He added: “The situation isn’t going to get dramatically better any time soon, so delays and cancellations won’t either. If demand goes up, it may well get worse.”  

Others have been similarly scathing, with a Ryanair spokesperson describing the situation as both “unacceptable” and an “inefficient shambles which threatens passengers’ travel plans”.

Nat’s chief operations officer Kathryn Leahy said how she was “doing everything I possibly can with my teams to be ready to tackle that demand”.

The situation could be made worse by a lack of clarity over changes to the 100ml liquid rules that were due to come in this summer.

Some airports have been able to make the changes, by bringing in new scanners at their security gates.

However, others aren’t going to meet a deadline that was set for this June, meaning passengers will have to stick to the old liquid rules.

The situation isn’t going to get dramatically better any time soon, so delays and cancellations won’t either

Retired Traffic Controller

Travel agent association ABTA has warned that this could cause delays during the busier months.

Passengers have been told to research the rules at the airports they’re flying to and from – and if in doubt, they should pack as if the 100ml rules are still in place.

Luke Petherbridge, director of public affairs at ABTA, told Metro: “Our best advice is to prepare for your travels with the existing rules in mind.

“That way, you’ll be ready to comply whatever the scenario, avoiding any unnecessary delays through security and any difficulties when returning from your destination.

“You can also check with your airport in advance, and we’d also recommend checking with your return airport too.”

Taking too much liquid is one big mistake that people can make at airports, but there are plenty of others.

BELTS & SHOES

Wearing fiddly clothing, including belts and shoes, often slows people down.

Those passengers dress forgetting that those items need to be removed and scanned, which not only holds them up, but everyone else behind them.

People are advised to dress with airport security in mind to speed the process up.

AIRPORT SCREENS

Relying on screens for information in the airport is not advised, according to flight attendants.

It turns out that the screens are updated later than other places and checking online is a much more reliable way to get details about your flight.

TRANSPORT TICKETS

Onward travel from the airport can be expensive – but people often pay much more than they need to.

At UK airports, buying tickets for train travel from the machines at the stations is often much more expensive than buying them online.

It’s always worth checking the prices online when you arrive before buying the tickets.

Meanwhile, these two sneaky methods can help you avoid flight cancellation chaos.

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