Passengers returning to Manchester Airport faced significant delays on May 9, 2025, due to a power cut that affected computer systems in Terminal 3. The outage led to chaos at passport control, with many travelers reporting long waits and frustration as immigration officials struggled to process their entries into the UK.
The power cut initially did not affect flights, according to airport officials. However, as the situation developed, it became clear that some flights were indeed delayed. A fleet of buses was mobilized to transport passengers from Terminal 3 to Terminal 1, where normal passport control operations were still functioning. This effort was necessary as immigration staff resorted to using laptops to check travel documents in the absence of operational computer terminals.
"Most staff have gone awol. There's very few staff, resilience or otherwise to be seen," one passenger lamented, highlighting the apparent lack of personnel available to assist during the crisis. Reports indicated that hundreds of passengers were "shoehorned into corridors" as they awaited processing, with lights in the Terminal 3 building going out entirely before backup generators restored some illumination.
Despite the airport's reassurances that flights were unaffected, many travelers took to social media to express their concerns. One passenger stated, "We’re sat on a plane with no fuel and have been told incoming flights are diverted. Definitely affected." Another echoed similar frustrations, saying, "Delayed over an hour sitting onboard, air conditioning turned off, waiting for fuel." These sentiments were part of a wave of complaints regarding the airport's handling of the situation.
By the evening, airport officials confirmed that the power issues were being addressed and that supplies were slowly returning to normal. A spokesperson stated, "We're aware of a technical issue affecting some systems in Terminal 3 this evening. Flights are not affected. We are working to fix this issue as soon as possible and apologise for any inconvenience. Our customer service and resilience teams are on hand to assist passengers." However, the reality on the ground suggested that many passengers were experiencing significant delays and confusion.
As the situation unfolded, the airport faced criticism for its communication and response to the power outage. Julia Lo Bue-Said, CEO of Advantage Travel Partnership, commented on the broader implications of such disruptions, stating, "Passengers expect and deserve not to spend hours stuck in terminals with little information or support. Reliable service, clear communication, and efficient operations should be the standard, not the exception, and airports must take this responsibility seriously."
In the wake of this incident, Manchester Airport's reputation took a hit, as it had recently been named the UK's third worst for flight delays, trailing behind Gatwick and Birmingham. This latest power outage only added to the frustrations of travelers who had already been dealing with delays and cancellations. In contrast, Belfast City (George Best) airport was praised for its punctuality, boasting an average flight delay of less than 12 minutes, according to recent analyses.
The power cut at Manchester Airport serves as a reminder of the vulnerabilities that can impact even the busiest transportation hubs. While the airport worked to restore normal operations, the experiences of passengers during this incident highlighted the critical need for effective crisis management and communication in the face of unexpected challenges.
As the clock approached 23:00 BST, the airport announced that the power issue had been resolved, allowing for a gradual return to normal operations. However, the fallout from the day's events is likely to linger in the minds of travelers who experienced the chaos firsthand. With summer travel season approaching, it remains to be seen how the airport will address the concerns raised by passengers and improve its services to avoid similar disruptions in the future.
