Manchester Airport issues festive travel advice to get passengers smoothly on their way this holiday season

As many people prepare to travel abroad for the first time since the pandemic, Manchester Airport is encouraging passengers jetting-off this Christmas to familiarise themselves with latest Covid restrictions and security rules.

Traditional rules around liquids, gels and pastes remain, with new Covid-specific safety measures in place as well, including those recently brought in, in response to the Omicron variant. Furthermore, with Terminal Three currently closed, passengers are also advised to check where their flight is departing from before getting to the airport.

Although there will be a lot fewer passengers than normal Decembers, Manchester Airport has outlined these key steps that those travelling should follow in preparation for their trip.

Be ready for security

Christmas often sees passengers fly with more unusual items as they take gifts home for loved ones. All festive flyers are reminded that the usual security rules still apply, and passengers are encouraged to heed the following guidance:

• If in doubt about any particular items, pack them in your checked hold luggage, rather than in hand luggage
• Ensure products in your hand luggage containing liquids, gels or pastes are in a clear, resealable bag and don’t exceed 100ml each. This includes, among other things, perfume, aftershave, make-up, condiments such as jams and butter, beverages and snow globes
• If you’re planning to carry Christmas crackers, check with your airline in advance as to whether they will be permitted in hand luggage. Some will allow one box per passenger, but most prohibit them
• If flying with a Christmas Pudding, please put this in your hold luggage not your hand luggage
• Do not bring wrapped presents, they may need to be opened for inspection
• If your bag requires a full search, security personnel may need to unwrap your gifts to check their contents. Therefore, wrap presents once you have reached your destination where possible
• Take off coats / jackets and other winter wear before reaching security to help save time
• If you or someone in your party has reduced mobility, book any airline assistance you require in advance to avoid delays
• Poor weather has the potential to disrupt public transport and the road network at this time of year. Ensure you leave plenty of time when planning your journey

Read the latest Government advice

Passengers are urged to read-up on the latest Government advice ahead of their trip and contact their airline with any specific queries that aren’t covered by Government guidance.

Departing passengers are urged to check the specific requirements for the country they are flying to.

Gov.UK advice on travelling abroad from England during the Covid-19 pandemic is available here: www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-abroad-from-england-during-coronavirus-covid-19.

FCO travel advice is available here: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice.

All arriving international passengers are now required to take a PCR test on or before day two of their arrival into the UK and must self-isolate until they receive their results. The test must be booked before arrival into the UK. All passengers must now also take a pre-departure test before coming into the UK. This can be a PCR or lateral flow test.

Arriving passengers also still need to complete the Government’s Passenger Locator Form before travelling back to the UK. Please ensure this is completed in advance to avoid any issues at immigration.

www.gov.uk/provide-journey-contact-details-before-travel-uk

Be Covid safe

Throughout the pandemic Manchester Airport has had a range of Covid-19 safety measures in place and will maintain these for the foreseeable future to ensure that it provides a safe environment for staff and passengers. These include Perspex screens and an enhanced cleaning regime, with 116 hand sanitising stations throughout the site provided by the airport’s sanitary partner Carex.

The airport also continues to follow the latest Government and Public Health England advice, as it has done throughout the pandemic. As such, passengers and colleagues are required to wear a face covering whilst on site, unless they are exempt. For all the latest information see www.manchesterairport.co.uk/coronavirus.

On site testing centres

Manchester Airport has a range of testing centres on site, including drive-through centres. These are provided by Randox and Collinson and can be booked here: www.manchesterairport.co.uk/coronavirus/testing/

Passengers are encouraged to contact the operators of the testing centres if they have any queries about testing.

Karen Smart, Managing Director at Manchester Airport, said:

“This is an important time of the year for our operation, with travellers seeking festive getaways or reunions with friends and family members living overseas.

“We take the safety of our passengers and colleagues very seriously and are committed to maintaining a Covid safe environment, which we hope travellers will take some reassurance from.

“Travel to most parts of the world is definitely still achievable, and we are looking forward to helping passengers on their way this festive season. Naturally we encourage passengers to ensure that they familiarise themselves with the latest Covid rules both here and at their destination. We also recognise that many passengers won’t have travelled in some time, so we advise them to check on the rules for hand luggage before travel and leave plenty of time for their journeys.”

For more information on Manchester Airport and Covid-19 see: www.manchesterairport.co.uk/coronavirus