Gemma Atkinson was caught up in chaos at Manchester Airport as she returned from family holiday

Gemma Atkinson revealed how it took two hours to get through security and urged her followers to “expect the chaos” as she returned from her Tenerife holiday on Wednesday

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Gemma Atkinson gets caught up in the chaos at Manchester Airport with her daughter

Gemma Atkinson was caught up in the chaos at Manchester Airport as she flew in from her first family holiday in Tenerife with fiancé Gorka Márquez and daughter Mia, two, on Wednesday.

The 37-year-old actress revealed how it took her two hours to get through security and told her followers to “expect the chaos” as she took to Instagram to share a sweet clip of Mia passing played while waiting to collect the luggage.

It comes as airports are struggling to cope with staff shortages as people go on holiday after Covid restrictions are lifted.

Gemma captioned the video: “Killing time waiting for luggage at Manchester Airport last night… The staff at the airport have been brilliant with us but they are extremely understaffed which made everything so much slower.

“We arrived 4 hours before our flight and it took about 2 hours to get through security. Our flight was delayed an hour as some people on our flight were still waiting to get through security when we boarded.

“When we got home we landed at 6.10am and it was 7.45am before the first luggage arrived. Again the staff who were there were brilliant and you could see how stressful it was for them too.

“I hope the situation improves for the good of all and my advice to anyone traveling is to take plenty of time expecting the chaos but breathe easy, don’t take it out on staff who are trying not to let it ruin the start of your vacation.

“Easier said than done, I know when you’re done, but hopefully things will improve.”

Airport bosses this week admitted the disruption could last for weeks, blaming staff shortages as families prepare to fly away for the Easter holidays.

At least 60 easyJet flights have been canceled across the UK, while British Airways announced the cancellation of 115 flights to or from Heathrow Airport.

According to the Cirium study, 382 of the canceled flights were intended for weekend trips.

A spokesman for Manchester Airport said earlier this week: “We understand the frustration felt by customers and other interested parties but would like to reassure everyone involved that we are working as hard as we can to address this issue and have taken a number of short term measures during the Applications from colleagues are processed.

“This includes hiring short-term temporary workers and finding ways in which existing employees can support operations.”