Chaos at Manchester Airport as power cut causes delays and flight cancellations

Passengers are facing lengthy delays and cancellations due to a power cut at Manchester Airport.

People are facing travel chaos as all flights are either being cancelled or having severe delays after a power cut and travellers from Terminals 1 and 2 are being told to stay away.

Many people have reacted angrily on social media, the Mirror reports. One person wrote at 6.35am: "We've been stood for over an hour and a half in the same spot as we we're before, still being told that "normal services will resume ASAP" our flight leaves at 10 past 7!!"

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Images show large queues stretching outside of the airport this morning as many people are looking to get away for a break at the start of the summer holiday season.

A huge number of bags can also be seen gathered with the airport warning passengers that some flights will be leaving without all the luggage onboard.

The airport said the issue - which occurred in the early hours of the morning - had caused "widespread disruption" which is particularly affecting flights from Terminals 1 and 2..

Manchester Airport initially said passengers who are travelling from Terminals 1 or 2 should contact their airlines for up-to-date information before coming to the airport but it now says they they should stay away. Those heading to Terminal 3 are expected to face delays but should come to airport as normal unless advised otherwise by their airline.

Meanwhile, airlines will organise any onward journey for those whose flights are cancelled, added the airport. "Passengers due to fly from Terminal 3 should come to the airport as normal unless advised otherwise by their airline, but could be affected by delays," Manchester Airport advised.

It said that it was working to restore "normal service as soon as possible" and in an update said that power has now been restored. The latest statement reads: "Manchester Airport was affected by a major power cut in the area earlier this morning. This has caused widespread disruption and flights from Terminals 1 and 2 are being cancelled. Airlines will be in contact with passengers.

"Flights from T1 and T2: Passengers due to travel from Terminals 1 and 2 today are advised not to come to the airport until further notice and to contact their airlines. Flights from T3: Passengers due to fly from Terminal 3 should come to the airport as normal unless advised otherwise by their airline but could be affected by delays.

"We are working to get passengers already at the airport onto their flights. The disruption caused by the outage means in some instances baggage may not be on those flights. We will work with airlines to make sure passengers are reunited with any baggage that is not on their flight as soon as possible.

"Arriving passengers: A number of arriving flights are being diverted to other airports so anyone due to pick passengers up from the airport are advised to check before they travel. We apologise for any inconvenience and aim to restore normal service as soon as possible."

Airline easyJet, which operates flights from Terminal One, said there are “very long queues” for security and disruption to hold bag processing, meaning passengers can only board flights with cabin luggage. It said: “Although outside of our control, we would like to apologise for any inconvenience experienced as a result. We are doing all we can and working closely with the airport team to minimise the disruption.”