Manchester Airport issues Christmas travel warning
Manchester Airport is warning passengers travelling over the Christmas period to check what’s in their hand luggage to avoid presents being confiscated at security.
The airports says security officials confiscated more items at Christmas than at any other time of year because passengers unwittingly try to take prohibited items in to the cabin.
Many popular stocking fillers – such as snow globes – breach security regulations, typically because they contain liquids, and passengers may be asked to leave items behind if they are not compliant, it said.
In particular, it said passengers should check with their airline to see if they can carry Christmas crackers onboard, and also to check if they could carry things like condiments and perfume.
Customer services and security director Fiona Wright added: "As we edge closer to Christmas and New Year we want to ensure each and every one of our passengers has the best experience and start to their trip, while ensuring their safety and security.
"Our colleagues are committed to ensuring passengers get away seamlessly, which is why we are issuing this advice today to make as many passengers’ journeys as easy as possible whether they are jetting off to Benidorm, Beijing or Barbados."
"When it comes to what you can and can’t pack in your hand luggage, the rules are exactly the same at Christmas as they are for the rest of the year.
"However, at this festive time of year passengers often travel with gifts of more unusual items, which unwittingly do not comply with the rules. If in doubt, check with your airline first and put it in your suitcase for the hold, rather than your hand luggage."
Manchester Airport is expecting a 7% year-on-year increase in passengers this Christmas, with Friday December 21 forecast to be the busiest day of the holiday period when 79,300 are due to pass through its three terminals. To avoid queues building up, passengers are also being asked to remove outdoor garments, such as coats, hats and gloves, before they arrive at security.
The airport’s calculations show that on average, an unprepared passenger who has to unzip zips, undo buttons, take off hats, gloves and untie a scarf at the metal detector, rather than in the queue, add over a minute per person to the security processing time. This doesn’t sound much but multiply it by thousands of passengers and it soon adds up.
Passengers are also being asked to arrive at least two to three hours before their flight departure time, and to put all liquids, gels and pastes in a clear plastic bag.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive
Euromonitor International unveils world’s top 100 city destinations for 2025