From the article: "There are some critical functions in the airport which are still significantly under resourced, in particular ground handlers, who are contracted by airlines to provide check-in staff, load and unload bags and turnaround aircraft."

Sample of one, but this is the first result I got:

A baggage handler job in Heathrow earns £11/hour for a contracted temporary hourly job that involves probably shifts, working through half the weekends, a long commute and dealing with abusive passengers.

https://www.totaljobs.com/job/baggage-handler/buzz-recruitme...

Perhaps different roles are affected, but I suspect Dublin and Heathrow have staff shortages for similar reasons.

There seem to be at least two issues here:

1) pay and conditions relative to other options (which your example illustrates)

2) the system's inability to react quickly to changes in required throughput, because hiring and training takes at least a few weeks(?)

I wonder what's the dominant reason for today's situation, when Heathrow worked fine before the pandemic?

A) Potential workers have better options (or better information about options) than they did before the pandemic?

B) The airport and airlines failed to forecast accurately enough?

C) Some other type of 'bug' in the system of management?

D) Something else?

I didn't say it was a good analogy (I have no idea), and you are free to pick holes in it.

But the intent was clear.