Major disruptions hit Manchester Airport on April 20, 2026. Airlines cancelled 23 flights and delayed 483 more due to ongoing issues.
Aer Lingus cancelled flight EI3611 to Belfast City, originally scheduled for 08:40. Qatar Airways flight QR22 to Doha departed late at 09:43, resulting in a delay of 1 hour and 28 minutes.
Several other flights also faced significant delays. Wizz Air’s flight to Liverpool departed at 09:04, a delay of 49 minutes. Ryanair’s FR3206 to Rome Ciampino left at 08:57, delayed by 42 minutes, while Jet2’s LS801 to Venice took off at 08:42, also delayed by 42 minutes.
Ryanair’s FR1249 to Tenerife is expected to face a delay of over two hours, with an estimated departure time of 16:25.
Aer Lingus is expected to cancel around 500 flights due to mandatory maintenance on aircraft. An Aer Lingus spokesperson stated, “A number of recent cancellations have been required due to mandatory maintenance on aircraft, along with a limited number of schedule adjustments.”
Michael O’Leary remarked on the uncertainty facing airlines: “We’re all facing an unknown scenario. And we are certainly looking at maybe having to cancel 5 percent, 10 percent of flights through May, June and July.” This reflects broader challenges in the aviation sector.
As jet fuel prices have doubled since the start of the Iran conflict—forcing closures of major Middle Eastern hubs—airlines are adjusting their schedules accordingly. An Air Canada spokesperson noted that some low-profitability routes may no longer be viable.
The situation remains fluid as airlines navigate these disruptions. Details remain unconfirmed regarding the full impact on future schedules.
