Families planning Easter getaways face travel misery next weekend, with hundreds of flights cancelled daily and over 27 million car journeys expected to cause gridlock. Airlines are struggling with staff shortages and sickness, leading to more than 100 daily cancellations by easyJet and British Airways. Rail journeys will also be disrupted, with Network Rail planning over 500 engineering projects over the bank holiday weekend.
Manchester Airport continues to experience chaos, with officials warning it could last for several weeks. Managing director Karen Smart has resigned, and the airport's owner, Charlie Cornish, admitted staff shortages are to blame. 'The simple fact is that we don't currently have the number of staff we need,' he said, warning that queues could reach 60 to 90 minutes at times.
The AA estimates 27.6 million car journeys between Good Friday and Easter Monday, with 13.6 million on Good Friday alone. Spokesman Tony Rich said: 'The Easter holidays look set to give British tourism a much-needed boost... we can expect significant congestion across the UK.' Drivers face high fuel prices, with petrol averaging 161.9p per litre and diesel 176.0p per litre.
Rail passengers face disruption from 530 engineering projects costing £83 million, including a closure of the West Coast Main Line between London Euston and Milton Keynes. Cross-Channel ferries will be busy, with Kent roads already hit by queues due to P&O Ferries' suspension of sailings after sacking nearly 800 seafarers.
The Civil Aviation Authority's chief executive, Richard Moriarty, has written to airlines reminding them of their legal obligations to consumers, expressing concerns about recent traveller experiences. He urged co-operative planning to identify problems in advance and allow pre-emptive cancellations.
