Chaos at Manchester Airport as Heavy Rain Delays Dozens of Flights

Dozens of flights were delayed at Manchester Airport after heavy rainfall and poor visibility caused major disruption for pre-Christmas travellers. A yellow weather warning for rain remains in place across the region until 11:59pm, according to the Met Office.

The situation worsened after a minor defect was discovered on a taxiway, forcing repair works that temporarily affected runway operations. Although the runways have since reopened, the combination of adverse weather and ongoing repairs led to delays of up to six hours for some flights, with at least one cancellation reported.

Flights operated by major airlines including British Airways, Ryanair and easyJet were impacted. Passengers travelling to popular European destinations such as Copenhagen, Paris and Malaga experienced unexpected delays, adding to the frustration during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.

Airport officials confirmed that weather conditions and reduced visibility were the main causes of the disruption. Air traffic controllers also capped the number of inbound flights earlier in the day to maintain safety.

Manchester Airport is preparing for its busiest Christmas on record, with an estimated 1.5 million passengers expected to pass through the terminal during the festive season. More than 100,000 travellers are forecast to fly on both December 19 and December 28 alone.

Passengers are being advised to arrive at the airport as planned and regularly check flight updates. Airport staff continue working to minimise further disruption, though residual delays are expected throughout the day.