‘You couldn’t make it up. It’s been one nightmare after another.’
The flight turned back due to an emergency(Image: Submitted)
A TUI flight from Mexico to Manchester had to do a U-turn over the Atlantic Ocean due to a medical emergency, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded for more than 24 hours. Several hundred passengers have been waiting to complete their journey home from Shannon Airport in Ireland since Saturday (September 13) with several hundred more waiting for the return flight at Manchester.
The passengers finally arrived back in Manchester on Sunday afternoon (September 14), having left Cancun more than 48 hours ago.
It comes after the flight from Cancun, which departed at around 5.30pm local time on Friday (September 12), turned around midway through its journey to land in Gander, Canada. Several passengers have told the Manchester Evening News that the medical emergency was alcohol-related – although the patient is believed to have had an underlying condition – but TUI refutes this.
After around an hour, the flight took off from Gander. But rather than heading to Manchester, it only went as far as Shannon in Ireland. This is because of legal restrictions and flight time limitations which meant that the crew were not allowed to fly further, TUI has said.
Never miss a story with the MEN’s daily Catch Up newsletter – get it in your inbox by signing up here
After disembarking at Shannon Airport, passengers were left waiting in the departures lounge for several hours. And after boarding again, they had to wait another three hours – some of which was spent in the dark – while engineers dealt with an electrical fault.
The passengers were then told to get off the aircraft again and take all their luggage due to what TUI describes as a ‘technical issue’.
They returned to the departures lounge shortly after midnight, in the early hours of this morning (September 14) where they slept.
According to TUI, another flight was also not able to operate from Shannon Airport which meant all hotel rooms were booked.
Passengers were left stranded at Shannon Airport(Image: Submitted)
The passengers have now spent more than 24 hours waiting at Shannon Airport, while passengers who were due to take the TUI flight to Cancun on the same plane have also been left waiting at Manchester Airport following technical issues with an alternative aircraft.
Speaking to the M.E.N. from Shannon Airport on Sunday afternoon (September 14), Nicole Higgins, a 32-year-old woman from Wakefield who was in Cancun for a week with her fiance, said: “You couldn’t make it up. It’s been one nightmare after another.”
Passengers stuck at Shannon Airport have complained about the cold conditions, with some using makeshift blankets to stay warm.
The passengers were forced to sleep at the airport(Image: Submitted)
But they have also praised the airport staff in Ireland, some of whom worked hours over their shift to help the stranded passengers.
Newly-weds Claire and Jamie from Harrogate had been in Cancun for two weeks on their honeymoon. Claire, 34, told the M.E.N.: “We left four days after our wedding and we were in absolute bliss. I can’t remember my wedding at this point. It’s a distant memory.
“It was only 48 hours ago we were leaving our lovely Mexican resort. No we’re on a cold lino floor at an airport in Ireland.”
Passengers have complained about cold conditions(Image: Submitted)
Meanwhile, passengers who were due to fly on the same plane from Manchester to Cancun on Saturday (September 13), have also been left stranded for 24 hours. The M.E.N. understands an alternative aircraft that had been arranged also faced a technical issue.
TUI UK&I Spokesperson: “We can confirm that flight TOM147 had to divert to Gander due to a medical emergency onboard. In such circumstances fast reaction and a full medical support on the ground are paramount.
“We therefore thank our crew for their swift and professional reaction, and our guests onboard for their understanding.
“We are doing our utmost to bring our guests back to Manchester but due to legal restrictions and flight time limitations the crew wasn’t allowed to fly further with the airplane than Shannon.
“We have now arranged alternative flights for all guests to Manchester and have informed passengers proactively that they can claim hotel costs back and will be entitled to compensation.
“We apologise for all inconveniences and can reassure you that we’ve been doing whatever possible to bring everyone back home, safely.”