Flitestar records ‘huge increase’ in Manchester private flight enquires

Cheshire-based private aviation company Flitestar has recorded a “huge increase” in the number of enquiries and private charters from Manchester Airport amid reports of major disruption and delays at the airport.

Flitestar chief executive Neil Baines said online flight enquiries out of Manchester were up over 300% in the past seven days, while flights departing out of Manchester over the next four weeks are up 115% compared to the previous four weeks.

Travellers at Manchester Airport have faced long queues for check-in and security over the past month, with some missing flights at the start of the Easter school holidays.

Manchester airport issued an apology and admitted passengers’ experiences fell “below the standard we aim to provide”.

Flitestar operates from the private terminal at Manchester Airport, allowing passengers to arrive for processing up to 25 minutes prior to departure.

The private aviation facility is located separately from the main terminal and features a lounge area with refreshments and its own security checkpoint.

“Many luxury travellers have been waiting for two years for a holiday and the general feeling is that they don’t want to miss it now,” Baines said.