Passengers are warned of longer than usual queues at airports over Easter due to staff shortages.
The Airport Operators Association (AOA) said its members have been trying to hire new jobs after jobs were lost and employees migrated to other industries during the coronavirus pandemic.
However, it warned recruitment problems and Covid-related staff absences could weigh on operations at airports.
The AOA represents most UK airports from Heathrow to Edinburgh.
Karen Dee, chief executive of the AOA, said that at peak times passengers “may not have the experience they are used to”.
She said airports were working hard to recruit more staff in the run-up to the Easter holidays and were “working with the UK Government to address delays in required checks before staff can start work”.
The AOA has asked travelers to arrive earlier for flights due to longer check-in waits, and has also urged people to ensure they have all the Covid-related documents needed for their travel destination.
Holiday bookings surged with trips planned for Easter after the UK’s Covid travel tests were scrapped.
However, airports have said they are operating in a very tight labor market and are trying to keep up with increasing demands after a sharp drop in the number of outbound travelers over the past two years.
Kevin O’Reilly, of specialist aviation and airport recruitment firm One Resourcing, said finding enough airport ground staff, including cleaners and baggage handlers, is a major challenge.
“It’s always been a tough market to find recruitment, but this year it’s gotten tougher,” he said.
Mr O’Reilly said there are a number of reasons companies are struggling to replenish their workforce.
“A large number of people have left the aviation industry due to the pandemic and although many have returned, many have found alternative positions in other sectors and do not want to risk working again in an industry that has left them unemployed,” he added .
“Now there is a recovery from not having people travel and suddenly everyone wants to travel.
“Recruitment at airports doesn’t happen overnight, people have to go through a thorough security clearance process to get an airside pass.”
He said some other jobs lured workers away from the industry and some EU citizens left after Brexit.
Manchester Airport has already blamed long passenger queues for staff shortages in the last few weeks before the busier Easter holidays.
His boss admitted more problems were likely as the airport struggled to cope with rising demand after operations were “dramatically scaled back” during the pandemic.
Earlier this month, Britain’s largest airport, Heathrow, said peak demand could reach 85% of pre-pandemic levels over the summer holidays.
It has to adapt to this demand, since airlines, handlers and airports currently do not have the capacities.
Heathrow added it was “particularly concerned about Border Force’s ability to scale up”.
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