Which Manchester Airport Flights Are Delayed or Cancelled on Christmas Eve?

December 24, 2025 at 11:37 AM•3 min read

The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) urged careful packing as Manchester Airport faces delays and a cancellation on its busiest-ever Christmas Eve.

Key Points

1The 2:15 pm Aer Lingus flight EI45 to New York (JFK) is cancelled on December 24.
2Three other international departures, including Qatar Airways to Doha, faced delays of 20-60 minutes.
3The disruption occurs during Manchester Airport's busiest-ever Christmas period, with 1.5 million passengers expected between December 19 and January 4.
4The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) urged passengers to leave presents unwrapped to minimize security delays.

Thousands of passengers are flying from Manchester Airport today. This marks the start of the busiest Christmas period ever for the northern hub. However, some Manchester Airport flight delays and one major cancellation have occurred. Travelers must monitor their Aer Lingus flight status and other departures closely. Schedule changes can happen quickly due to various operational factors.

Current Flight Status: December 24

One international flight has been cancelled this morning. The 2:15 pm Aer Lingus flight EI45 to New York is cancelled. This information is according to Flightradar24.com as of 11:15 am. Three other departures have faced delays of more than 20 minutes.

Delayed Departures

1:55 pm Aer Lingus flight EI209 to Dublin: Estimated departure 2:55 pm.
5:55 pm easyJet flight U22193 to Zurich: Estimated departure 6:25 pm.
9:30 pm Qatar Airways flight QR24 to Doha: Estimated departure 10:00 pm.

Passengers should always check with their airline directly. This is crucial for the most up-to-date information.

Context: Record-Breaking Holiday Travel

This disruption comes during a record-breaking holiday season. Manchester Airport expects over 1.5 million passengers. This volume will pass through the hub between December 19 and January 4. This makes it the airport’s busiest Christmas period ever on record. Dubai is noted as the most popular destination on Christmas Day. The sheer volume of traffic increases the risk of holiday travel disruption.

Minimizing Disruption: CAA Guidance

Ahead of the festive peak, the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) issued a warning. They urged travelers to pack carefully to minimize security delays. Many common festive items can cause passenger security hold-ups. This can lead to further delays across the network.

Leave presents unwrapped: Security staff may need to inspect gifts.
Check airline rules: This applies to items like Christmas crackers.
Snow globes count as liquids: These must follow the 100ml liquid rule.
Carry electronics in hand luggage: Devices like laptops and vapes must be accessible.

Broader Operational Challenges

Flight delays and Christmas Eve flight cancellations can stem from many issues. These include weather, staffing, and air traffic control issues. Manchester Airport is a major UK gateway. Its size and long-haul routes make it vulnerable to global network issues. Delays originating in other countries can create a knock-on effect. This impacts inbound and outbound flights at the busy hub.

Passengers should use official airline channels. They must check their flight news [https://flying.flights] before leaving home. This proactive step helps manage unexpected travel changes. The CAA also reminds passengers of their rights. Airlines must offer assistance for long delays or cancellations.