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Daily Record
3 days ago
- Daily Record
Ryanair warns passengers after hundreds miss flights amid airport chaos
The budget airline has issued a stark warning to passengers as Portugal experiences airport chaos with more than 270 passengers missing their flights in the last two weeks Ryanair has issued a stern warning to holidaymakers following travel turmoil at several Portuguese airports, leaving hundreds stranded at departure gates. The budget airline reported that over the past fortnight, more than 270 passengers have missed their flights due to lengthy queues and severe understaffing at border control. The most significant delays are being experienced at Faro, Lisbon and Porto airports, with wait times reportedly extending up to an astonishing two and a half hours. In a statement released on Monday, Ryanair condemned the situation as "completely unacceptable", urging Portugal's new government to address the staffing crisis. "In just the past two weeks, over 270 passengers missed their flights at these airports due to excessive delays caused by understaffed border controls," the airline stated. The problem began to intensify around 26 May, with the airline cautioning that families, including those travelling with young children, were getting caught in the chaos. The issue is particularly severe during morning peak hours, when passenger numbers surge and border posts are overwhelmed, reports the Mirror. Ryanair blamed airport operator ANA for failing to adequately prepare for the annual summer travel influx. The statement continued, "The new government should take urgent measures to ensure that border control at Portuguese airport is duly equipped with resources. " It also emphasised the urgency for proactive measures to avert further turmoil as the busy season approaches, "especially during the morning rush hour, in order to avoid unnecessary delays and more people unfairly missing their flights". Neal McMahon, Operations Director at Ryanair, termed the current circumstances as "unsustainable," cautioning of an escalation in problems as passenger numbers soar in the summer. Portugal's Minister of Infrastructure, Miguel Pinto Luz, recently attempted to quell rising anxieties by assuring that issues with border controls would be "resolved within two weeks". The PSP police force has committed to introducing 500 additional officers to fortify airport security and manage border checks in Lisbon, Porto, Madeira, and the Azores starting from July. An initiative for immediate reinforcements at Faro Airport, where the situation has been especially severe, is already in motion. Travellers planning trips to or via Portugal are urged to allot extra time for airport arrival to avoid potentially missing their flights. This development unfolds as travel agencies have observed a significant number of UK holiday-goers opting for north African destinations over customary European retreats. The lure seems to be the region's abundance of competitively priced high-quality accommodation compared to costlier options in traditional holiday spots like Spain, France, and Italy. North African nations including Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia are witnessing a surge in visitors from the UK. According to aviation analysts Cirium, an estimated 19,847 flights are expected to operate from UK airports to these countries this year, more than double the 8,653 flights recorded in 2019. In contrast, the number of flights to Spain and Portugal is predicted to rise by just 10 per cent and 9 per cent respectively over the same period.
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Ryanair issues warning as hundreds of passengers miss flights in airport chaos
Budget airline Ryanair said more than 270 passengers have missed their flights over the past two weeks due to extensive queues and chronic understaffing at border control Ryanair has issued a stark warning to holidaymakers after travel chaos at several airports in Portugal meant that hundreds were left stranded at departure gates. The budget airline said more than 270 passengers have missed their flights over the past two weeks due to extensive queues and chronic understaffing at border control. The worst delays are being felt in Faro, Lisbon and Porto airports, with wait times reportedly stretching to a staggering two and a half hours. In a statement issued on Monday, Ryanair slammed the situation as "completely unacceptable", calling on Portugal's new government to sort out the staffing crisis. "In just the past two weeks, over 270 passengers missed their flights at these airports due to excessive delays caused by understaffed border controls," Ryanair said. The trouble began to escalate around May 26, with the airline warning that families, including those travelling with young children, were being caught up in the mess. The issue is said to be especially bad during morning rush hours, when passenger numbers swell and border posts are swamped. Ryanair placed the blame with airport operator ANA, accusing it of failing to prepare adequately for the annual summer travel surge. "The new government should take urgent measures to ensure that border control at Portuguese airport is duly equipped with resources," the statement continued. It also stressed that action must be taken now to prevent further chaos as peak season looms large, "especially during the morning rush hour, in order to avoid unnecessary delays and more people unfairly missing their flights". Neal McMahon, Ryanair's Director Of Operations, branded the situation as 'unsustainable,' warning things will only get worse as air traffic ramps up over the summer months. Last week, Portugal's Minister of Infrastructure, Miguel Pinto Luz, moved to calm growing concerns, promising that border control issues should be "resolved within two weeks". The PSP police force has meanwhile pledged to deploy 500 new officers to reinforce airport security and border posts at Lisbon, Porto, Madeira, and the Azores from July. In the meantime, an early reinforcements push is already underway at Faro Airport, where the situation has been particularly dire. Passengers heading to or through Portugal are now being strongly advised to arrive at the airport extra early - or risk being left behind. This comes after travel companies reported thousands of UK holidaymakers are ditching traditional European hotspots in favour of north Africa. Experts say many people are being drawn to the region by its wide availability of high-quality hotels costing considerably less than similar properties in locations such as Spain, France and Italy. North African countries Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia are all experiencing a boost in visitors from the UK. Figures from aviation analysts Cirium show 19,847 flights are projected to serve routes from UK airports to those nations this year, more than twice as many as the 8,653 that did so in 2019. By comparison, the number of flights to Spain and Portugal is forecast to increase by 10% and 9% respectively over the same period.
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Ryanair airport warning as hundreds of passengers miss flights due to huge queues
RYANAIR has issued a warning to customers after hundreds of passengers have missed flights in recent weeks. The low-cost airline reported disruptions due to long queues at certain locations. 2 Ryanair passengers have faced long queues at a handful of Portugal airports (stock image) Credit: Getty The travel chaos results in over 270 people missing their flights in the past two weeks. Ryanair issued a warning on Monday, June 9, in response to bottleneck queues at a handful of airports. The airline said the long lines are resulting in unnecessary wait times, reaching up to two-and-a-half hours. These disruptions have affected passengers across Faro, Lisbon, and Porto airports. Ryanair called on Portugal's new government to urgently tackle the ongoing staff shortages at these locations. The massive delays are disrupting hundreds of passengers each day, including many who are travelling with young children. 'In just the past two weeks, over 270 passengers missed their flights at these airports due to excessive delays caused by understaffed border controls," Ryanair said in a statement. The airline spoke more about the disruptions which first began to affect its customers on May 26. Ryanair went on to describe the situation as 'completely unacceptable". "The new government should take urgent measures to ensure that border control at Portuguese airport is duly equipped with resources," the statement continued. Passengers injured on Ryanair flight after being thrown against the cabin roof as plane 'flew into supercell storm' These issues are said to be a result of a systemic staffing issue. Airport operator ANA is being accused of not prepping its staff and border posts for the influx of summer travel. The airline added that measures should be taken "especially during the morning rush hour, in order to avoid unnecessary delays and more people unfairly missing their flights". Neal McMahon, Director Of Operations at Ryanair, referred to the situation as 'unsustainable'. He added that it will only worsen as air traffic increases during the peak summer season. Advice for flying with Ryanair All Ryanair passengers can bring a small personal bag on board but this must fit under the seat in front of you, but it must be no bigger than 40cm x 20cm x 25cm Any over-sized cabin bags will be refused at the boarding gate and put in the hold for a fee Ryanair also charges passengers up to £55 check-in at the airport Anyone who loses their card at the airport will have to pay a £20 reissue fee Book to sit in the front five rows if you want to head off the plane first Extra legroom seats can be found in rows 1 A, B, C or 2 D, E, F as well as row 16 and 17 near the emergency exit The worst seat on Ryanair's Boeing 737-800 aircraft is also 11A because of its lack of window. Last week, Portugal's Minister of Infrastructure, Miguel Pinto Luz, tried to assuage worries. He predicted that the issues at border control should be 'resolved within two weeks'. Portugal's PSP police force confirmed it will deploy 500 new officers to boost border control and airport security at Lisbon, Porto, Madeira ,and the Azores in July. Meanwhile, an early reinforcement was already carried out at Faro Airport where the queues have been particularly serious. Airlines are being faced with a variety of logistical issues over the airports' staffing shortages, including rebooking, customer complaints, and compensation claims.
The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Ryanair airport warning as hundreds of passengers miss flights due to huge queues
RYANAIR has issued a warning to customers after hundreds of passengers have missed flights in recent weeks. The low-cost airline reported disruptions due to long queues at certain locations. 2 Ryanair passengers have faced long queues at a handful of Portugal airports (stock image) Credit: Getty The travel chaos results in over 270 people missing their flights in the past two weeks. Ryanair issued a warning on Monday, June 9, in response to bottleneck queues at a handful of airports. The airline said the long lines are resulting in unnecessary wait times, reaching up to two-and-a-half hours. These disruptions have affected passengers across Faro, Lisbon, and Read More On Flights Ryanair called on Portugal's new government to urgently tackle the ongoing staff shortages at these locations. The massive delays are disrupting hundreds of passengers each day, including many who are travelling with young children. 'In just the past two weeks, over 270 passengers missed their flights at these airports due to excessive delays caused by understaffed border controls," Ryanair said in a statement. The airline spoke more about the disruptions which first began to affect its customers on May 26. Most read in News Travel Ryanair went on to describe the situation as 'completely unacceptable". "The new government should take urgent measures to ensure that border control at Portuguese airport is duly equipped with resources," the statement continued. Passengers injured on Ryanair flight after being thrown against the cabin roof as plane 'flew into supercell storm' These issues are said to be a result of a systemic staffing issue. Airport operator ANA is being accused of not prepping its staff and border posts for the influx of summer travel. The airline added that measures should be taken "especially during the morning rush hour, in order to avoid unnecessary delays and more people unfairly missing their flights". Neal McMahon, Director Of Operations at Ryanair, referred to the situation as 'unsustainable'. He added that it will only worsen as air traffic increases during the peak summer season. Advice for flying with Ryanair All Ryanair passengers can bring a small personal bag on board but this must fit under the seat in front of you, but it must be no bigger than 40cm x 20cm x 25cm Any over-sized cabin bags will be refused at the boarding gate and put in the hold for a fee Ryanair also charges passengers up to £55 check-in at the airport Anyone who Book to sit in the front five rows if you want to head off the plane first The Last week, Portugal's Minister of Infrastructure, Miguel Pinto Luz, tried to assuage worries. He predicted that the issues at border control should be 'resolved within two weeks'. Portugal's PSP police force confirmed it will deploy 500 new officers to boost border control and airport security at Lisbon, Porto, Madeira ,and the Azores in July. Meanwhile, an early reinforcement was already carried out at Faro Airport where the queues have been particularly serious. Airlines are being faced with a variety of logistical issues over the airports' staffing shortages, including rebooking, customer complaints, and compensation claims. 2 Over 270 Ryanair customers have missed their flights in the past two weeks due to the long queues (stock image) Credit: Getty
