Heavy Rain Causes Flight Delays at Manchester Airport Before Christmas
Operations at Manchester Airport were disrupted on Monday, 15 December, after persistent rain and reduced visibility affected the day’s flight schedule. A number of services experienced delays as weather conditions made it harder for aircraft to arrive and depart on time during a busy pre-Christmas travel period. A yellow weather warning for rain was issued by the Met Office and remains in place until 23:59. The conditions affected both departing and arriving flights during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.
The situation was compounded by the temporary closure of parts of the airport’s taxiway after a minor defect was identified. Repair work started soon after the issue was identified, though steady rainfall slowed the process. During this time, aircraft movements were reduced, and air traffic control placed limits on incoming flights, allowing delays to accumulate through the morning and into the early afternoon.
Some flights were pushed back by several hours, with delays of up to six hours reported. At least one service was cancelled outright, while others were rescheduled for later in the day. British Airways, Ryanair and easyJet were among the airlines affected, with a number of short-haul European flights departing later than planned as weather conditions continued to disrupt operations at the airport.
Passengers heading to destinations including Copenhagen, Paris, and Malaga were among those affected, with extended waiting times adding strain to already busy pre-Christmas travel plans. Manchester Airport is preparing for around 1.5 million passengers during the festive period, with particularly busy days expected on 19 and 28 December. The disruption highlights how quickly weather-related issues can affect major hubs at peak times.
Although the taxiway repairs were completed within a few hours and runways later reopened, airport officials warned that residual delays could continue into the evening. Travellers have been advised to arrive at the airport as scheduled, monitor flight updates closely, and ensure their contact details are up to date with airlines, as conditions may continue to influence operations through the rest of the day.