Manchester Airport evacuation: Why was Terminal 3 evacuated, and will it cause extra delays?

Holidaymakers at Manchester Airport experienced more travel chaos after an incident sparked an evacuation of the building earlier today (Thursday 7 July).

Here’s everything you need to know.

Why was Terminal 3 of Manchester Airport evacuated?

Passengers had to be evacuated from Terminal Three at around 6am on Thursday.

Greater Manchester Police said that a member of the public activated an alarm by mistake, which led to a routine evacuation.

One person said on Twitter: “Whole of terminal 3 being evacuated at Manchester airport. No news yet but everyone is leaving.”

Videos on social media showed crowds of people leaving the terminal building at the airport, after a message over the tannoy called for an immediate evacuation.

‘Attention please, an incident has arisen that necessitates the immediate evacuation of this area,’ a tannoy announces in the clip.

Will there be extra delays?

Passengers have been facing long queues and security delays at the airport in recent weeks, with some people missing flights due to the disruption.

The airport has blamed high traveller numbers, a lack of staff and an unusually large number of bags.

Bosses have said they are undergoing a recruitment drive to help cope with a spike in demand for travel.

ManchesterWorld data analysis has revealed the airport had the fewest flights leaving on time of any UK airport in the first three months of 2022 and that 40% of flights were delayed by at least 15 minutes in April - with more than 100 cancelled.

Although the terminal building has now reopened following the incident, some disruption is expected.

Large numbers of people had to leave the building and then queue up to get back in again.

One person said: “Manchester Airport evacuation of Terminal 3. Chaotic.. Everyone told to leave and go outside but barely anyone hearing instructions. Now open again. Long queues.”

What has the airport said about the incident?

An airport spokesman said: "There was a brief evacuation in a small part of the terminal building due to one of the red alarm panels being set off.

"Process dictates the area is evacuated, but everyone is now already back in," he added.