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Holidaymakers facing 38-hour delay at Manchester Airport | Holidaymakers facing 38-hour delay at Manchester Airport |
(35 minutes later) | |
Holidaymakers hoping to get to Corfu for some summer sun are facing a 38-hour delay at Manchester Airport. | Holidaymakers hoping to get to Corfu for some summer sun are facing a 38-hour delay at Manchester Airport. |
More than 100 passengers were due to fly at 11:00 BST on Monday, but were told their flight was going to be late due to a "technical fault". | More than 100 passengers were due to fly at 11:00 BST on Monday, but were told their flight was going to be late due to a "technical fault". |
The flight, operated by Lithuanian airline Small Planet, was cancelled several more times and is now scheduled to leave at 00.55 on Wednesday. | The flight, operated by Lithuanian airline Small Planet, was cancelled several more times and is now scheduled to leave at 00.55 on Wednesday. |
Small Planet said: "We have never had such a difficult situation before." | Small Planet said: "We have never had such a difficult situation before." |
Manchester Airport confirmed the delay was the longest passengers have had to endure at the major travel hub. | Manchester Airport confirmed the delay was the longest passengers have had to endure at the major travel hub. |
Passenger Paul Kenny booked the flight through tour operator Olympic Holidays. | Passenger Paul Kenny booked the flight through tour operator Olympic Holidays. |
He said the 11:00 flight on Monday was initially postponed until noon and it "constantly got delayed and delayed" until about 20:00 last night "we were informed we had to stay in a hotel". | He said the 11:00 flight on Monday was initially postponed until noon and it "constantly got delayed and delayed" until about 20:00 last night "we were informed we had to stay in a hotel". |
He said the situation had been "awful". | He said the situation had been "awful". |
Dave, another passenger caught in the delay, said: "We're angry, we are just not being told the truth. | |
"We're told planes are on the way, but they never turn up. It's frustration." | |
A Manchester Airport spokesperson said: "Small Planet Airlines flight to Corfu is currently still showing as delayed until tomorrow morning. | |
"In the meantime we will work closely with our terminal teams and handling agents to ensure the passengers are cared for and looked after, until their flight to Greece can depart." | |
It is believed a plane is being flown over from Lithuania to take the holidaymakers to their destination. | It is believed a plane is being flown over from Lithuania to take the holidaymakers to their destination. |
Flight operator Small Planet issued an apology on its Facebook page. | Flight operator Small Planet issued an apology on its Facebook page. |
It read: "Dear passengers, we sincerely apologise for all the inconveniences and stress that current flight delays from Manchester to Corfu (S5 0111) and Corfu to Manchester (S5 0112) have caused you. | It read: "Dear passengers, we sincerely apologise for all the inconveniences and stress that current flight delays from Manchester to Corfu (S5 0111) and Corfu to Manchester (S5 0112) have caused you. |
"Please, rest assure that we do everything we can to eliminate the technical issues." | "Please, rest assure that we do everything we can to eliminate the technical issues." |