Travellers have been asked to check their luggage the night before travel to ease some of the pressure at airports.

British Airways contacted passengers flying from London Gatwick or Heathrow Terminal 5 and asked them to check their luggage in before returning for their flight the next day, The Mirror reports.

The sector is suffering from a shortage of staff after thousands of jobs were cut during the pandemic and recruitment efforts to make up the numbers have failed to satisfy the rising demand for travel now that restrictions have been lifted.

In an email to travellers flying from Gatwick, BA said: “We want to do everything we can to help you avoid spending your time queuing.”

This means holidaymakers will need to go to the airport to drop off their luggage before going back home for the night, only to have to return to the airport the next day for their actual flight.

The 'overnight bag drop service' was used last year when staff shortages were causing disruptions and delays.

In other news, hundreds of TUI passengers were left outraged after they received a text saying their trips were cancelled from Manchester Airport.

Holidaymakers say they had a gruelling four-hour wait to get through check-in and security, followed by a four-hour flight delay “waiting for a pilot”

The troubled flight to Kos, out of Terminal 2, was supposed to take off at 3.45pm on Saturday.

But one family says they were informed by text from TUI that their £4,500 trip, including flights and an all-inclusive hotel, were cancelled.

George Sharp told The Mirror: “It was like circumstances I’ve never ever heard of before.

“They went to board and then they cancelled not just the flight but the entire holiday.

“TUI staff refused to face up to anyone and the police arrived to tell them to go back through security to collect their bags and go home.”

A spokesman for TUI said: “We understand how disappointing and frustrating this is and we do apologise for any inconvenience caused.

“We would like to thank customers at Manchester airport today for their patience and understanding at this exceptionally busy time.”

A spokesman for Manchester Airport said they were in talks with airline operators to resolve the problem.

He said: “We are aware of challenges being faced by a number of airlines and handling agents, which is leading to delays at check-in and baggage reclaim for some passengers.”

The chaos follows huge delays for half-term holidaymakers as flights were axed, roads gridlocked and ferry services missed.

Up to 30,000 passengers were left stranded after easyJet cancelled more than 200 departures, sparking bedlam at Gatwick, Manchester and Bristol.

And British Airways grounded a further 120 short-haul European and domestic flights from Heathrow.

There were also long delays on the A20 towards the Port of Dover in Kent, causing many to miss their ferries.

Get all the biggest Lifestyle news straight to your inbox. Sign up for the free Daily Star Hot Topics newsletter

Source: Read Full Article