An IT crash at a major airport sparked mass delays with an estimated 10,000 holidaymakers missing their flights due to long queues for baggage and security.
Stansted airport was affected by an “IT issue” early on Sunday morning that rendered many of the systems useless. A problem was identified at 2.30am, but with the first wave of flights due to start just before 6am, queues began building.
Jet2 and Tui had been delaying flights by three to four hours to wait for passengers to clear security, but Ryanair dispatched planes on time in order to avoid delays later in the day.
Ben Silverstone, 37, arrived at Stansted with his partner at 5am for a 6.45am Ryanair flight to Madrid. He told The Independent: “There was a massive queue to get into the airport terminal, which didn’t move for about an hour.”
They were unable to drop off their bags and eventually left the airport, rebooking for a later flight from Gatwick on easyJet.
“It’s cost us a fortune,” Mr Silverstone said. “We’re about £600 out of pocket”.
Mark Wright, 34, said holidaymakers were pushing and shoving to get a chance to board his 5.55am Jet2 flight to Majorca.
He told The Independent from the tarmac: “We arrived at the airport at 3am into absolute chaos. We were barely able to get through the main door.
“There were no organised queues, there was only one barrier with three airport staff shouting out flights and only letting certain people through.
“I had to push through to the front to find out if our flight was called then work my way back through the crowds to find my partner with the bags and push back through just to get to the Jet2 bag drop-off.
“There were people sleeping on the floor or just sat in the middle of the crowds making it nearly impossible.
“At the bag drop-off, the only reason we got through is because we noticed the self-check in came back online and we jumped out to use them. The Jet 2 team asked us to keep it quiet that they’d all came back on.”
Mr Wright managed to board his flight but had been stuck on the tarmac for over two hours after being told his family’s luggage might not be onboard.
He added: “The only positive is the pilot has kept us informed and has found creative ways to keep the children entertained by showing them the cockpit. Bravo to him, he seems to be the one doing something proactive.”
Anne Alexander, posted on X that she queued for security for nearly two hours but still missed her flight.
She said: “Some people are queuing outside just to get inside the airport terminal.
“Some have given up and gone home as they have missed their flights.
“Many passengers in the queue – including me – have flights leaving in the next 15 mins.
“And we are still in the security queue.”
At 10.30am the airport said the problem had been “fully resolved”. A spokesperson said: “Earlier this morning, an IT issue affected several airport systems.
“While the issue has now been fully resolved, some departing flights may still experience delays We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this may cause. We thank our customers for their patience and understanding, and thank our colleagues for their hard work during this incident.
“Passengers are advised to stay in contact with their airline for the latest flight information.”
