It is fantastic to see international travel resume with the pandemic causing so much travel restriction in recent times, but many holidaymakers and business travellers are finding themselves stuck in lengthy airport queues and this is causing some frustration. So, what is causing these queues and is this something that we can expect to experience in the long term?
Airport Chaos
There have been many stories in the news recently about people getting stuck in airport queues with airlines facing travel chaos. People are having to wait a couple of hours to check-in, which is causing some to miss their flights. As you might expect, pent-up demand is a major reason why people are experiencing such long waiting times at airports.
Staff Shortages
With pent-up demand, there is also a shortage of ground and airline staff. This is contributing to the slow process of people being able to check in their bags, get through security and board the flight in a timely manner. This staff shortage comes from those that left the industry during the pandemic as well as high levels of staff sickness, particularly now that COVID-19 levels are on the rise again. Many people have not left the country for 2 or 3 years, so it is understandable that so many people are heading off on summer holidays now that travel restrictions have eased.
Delays
On top of this, there are also delays due to the fact that people have not been flying regularly and have forgotten basics like no liquids more than 100ml in carry-on luggage. As a result, this is slowing everything down and only making matters worse.
Is This a Long-Term Problem?
So, is this a long-term problem that we can expect whenever travelling overseas? While the situation is not going to resolve itself anytime soon, it is hoped that the situation will improve and people will not have to wait as long heading into the autumn and winter months. Obviously, this is a quieter time of year at airports anyway and it will give airlines and airports enough time to recruit and train staff.
Solutions
In terms of solutions, you could avoid the queues by turning up earlier than normal to check-in for your flight, but this would mean waiting around the airport for a long time. If possible, taking only carry-on luggage would also make a big difference. If you work for the NHS, you could benefit from a TUI NHS discount and book a more affordable holiday at a quieter time. Alternatively, you could opt for a staycation until the situation improves and many are still enjoying the benefits that a staycation can bring.
If you are heading off on your summer holiday, be warned that the queues can be lengthy right now and you should give yourself plenty of time to get through the airport.