Officers at Manchester Airport are seeing an increasing number of people who are arriving at the airport with no intention of travelling.

Around 160 fixed penalty notices have been issued for breaches of Covid regulations at the airport, after large groups of people were spotted dropping family members off and then entering the departures terminal.

A spokesperson for the police said: "Under the current regulations, this is not allowed.

"Please also ensure that you have a valid reason for travel, under the exemptions.

"Legally, you will have to notify the airlines of the reason for your journey from Monday March 8."

Police say the stay at home messaging remains the same and you must only travel if it is essential.

Anyone travelling who needs to be dropped off at the airport, should be taken by one family member either in their household or in their bubble.

If this is not possible, a taxi or public transport is the best method of travel to prevent large groups gathering inside the terminal.

Officers have warned they will be on patrol to engage with people in an effort to keep others safe and said anyone could be stopped and questioned if they suspect they are not there to travel and a fixed penalty notice may be issued.

If you have to travel then the police say you must:

  • Nominate one driver from your household or bubble to drop you off at the airport
  • Arrange to travel by taxi or public transport if you can't be driven by one person
  • Only enter the terminal if you are travelling

You must not:

  • Bring people who are not travelling in to the terminal
  • Have more people in there than needed - this is risking the health of others
  • Travel unless it is essential - the Covid regulations remain in place

Chief Inspector Andy Sutcliffe at Manchester Airport said: "Traditionally people arrive at the airport to wish loved ones and family members a safe flight and to wave them off.

"Unfortunately at the moment this is not possible due to Covid-19 and the regulations that the Government has put in place.

"We are trying to minimise the number of people in the departures terminal and this is not possible when people who are not travelling enter the area.

"It's risking the health of everyone in the terminal including my officers who have to actively engage with them to question why they are there.

"Only people who are travelling on a pre-booked flight should be in the terminal and they should be dropped off by one person from their household or bubble or by public transport.

"We are patrolling in-line with Government regulations and will do all we can to reduce the spread of the virus and protect the legitimate users of the airport"