Travellers at Manchester Airport have faced widespread disruption this evening as Storm Amy battered parts of the UK and Ireland, leading to multiple flight cancellations and diversions.
A string of Ryanair and Aer Lingus flights bound for Dublin and Belfast were cancelled as the storm swept through with “severe and damaging gusts” accompanied by torrential rain.
Inbound and outbound services to Cork and Belfast have also experienced significant delays, leaving passengers frustrated and uncertain.
Jason Manford Show Pulled After Flight Diverted
Stockport comedian Jason Manford was among those caught in the travel chaos. He took to social media to confirm the cancellation of his performance at Ulster Hall in Belfast after his flight was forced to divert.
“Please hold onto your tickets, and you will be contacted next week with the date for the rescheduled show. On behalf of Jason, we sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.”
His fans, some of whom had travelled far to see the comedian live, expressed disappointment but offered understanding amid the extreme weather.
Storm Amy lashes the UK, causing widespread flight disruptions and leaving passengers stranded far from their destinations. Ryanair and Aer Lingus are among the worst hit.
Flights to Scotland Also Affected
It wasn’t just Ireland facing issues. Several flights connecting Manchester to Scotland, including Loganair routes to Inverness and Aberdeen, were also axed.
Meanwhile, flights originally destined for Scotland and Ireland were rerouted to Manchester, turning the airport into an unplanned hub for grounded aircraft.
In one case, a Ryanair flight from Bristol attempted to land in Ireland but was forced to turn back around 5pm.
A few hours later, a Pisa-to-Glasgow service failed twice to land at Prestwick Airport before finally diverting to Manchester.
Angry Travellers Vent on Social Media
Frustrated passengers took to X (formerly Twitter) to share their travel woes.
Dean Evans posted: “Ryanair, could you please answer a question for me? We have been sat on one of your planes for over 5 1/2hrs after being delayed for an hour and now diverted to Manchester after 2 attempts of landing at Dublin.”
Iain Darby also expressed his anger, writing: “7 hours after boarding and 2 and a half hours after diverting back to land in Manchester, the flight is, now, officially cancelled!”
Manchester Airport Responds
Earlier in the day, airport officials issued a warning to passengers, urging caution and travel awareness: “Severe weather is forecast across parts of the UK this weekend.
While Manchester Airport is operating as normal, we advise all customers travelling to the airport to take extra care and check local travel updates before setting off.”
Unpredictable Weather, Unpredictable Travel
Storm Amy’s impact serves as a stark reminder of how unpredictable autumn weather in the UK can be.
The powerful system has triggered delays not only in the skies but also on the ground, as passengers scramble to rearrange their plans amidst limited availability and ongoing cancellations.
What You Can Do
Travellers planning to fly this weekend are strongly advised to:
- Monitor live flight status via airline apps or websites
- Follow airport social media channels for real-time updates
- Factor in longer journey times to airports due to poor road conditions
- Pack essentials in hand luggage in case of extended delays
With weather warnings still in place, further disruptions remain likely. Passengers are advised to remain vigilant and prepare for potential travel disruptions as Storm Amy continues to move across the region.
