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Barrier Fault Blamed for Hour-Long Gridlock at Manchester Airport T1

The airport attributes the jam to a barrier fault, with fees waived for delays.

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Overview

  • Drivers and taxi operators reported waits of around an hour to exit the Terminal 1 short-stay pick-up area on August 27, with photos showing snaking queues and blaring horns.
  • Manchester Airport said technical issues with exit barriers caused the hold-ups, stated the problem was fixed, and deployed teams to manage traffic.
  • A spokesperson confirmed affected motorists will not be charged for extra time incurred during the disruption.
  • Some operators said the short-stay area had been temporarily relocated and repurposed, citing an email from the airport, although officials said the queues were not caused by layout changes.
  • Passengers and local drivers criticized the handling of the area, pointing to a lack of marshalling and poor shelter for people waiting in heavy rain.