By Andrew Atkinson
A flight from Alicante-Elche airport to Belfast International took off – leaving 19 passengers behind at the gate.
The scheduled Ryanair flight left disgruntled passengers without their luggage, and stranded in Spain.
Passengers – with prescribed medication in missing luggage – were reportedly advised to go to the nearest pharmacies. One passenger said it took two days to get back home in Belfast.
It is claimed passengers handed in boarding passes to be scanned – and were then faced with closed automatic doors.
Some passengers who informed airport staff that the doors had closed say their luggage is still missing.
Passengers, who watched in disbelief as the plane taxied to the runway – and took off – were informed that there was no other flight going to Belfast.
Passengers who complained they had no clean clothes or toiletries after the mishap were told they would be put up in a hotel.
Some passengers managed to book a flight from Murcia to Dublin the day after, being put up in a hotel in Alicante, where food was provided.
It was alleged not food was provided on the evening of the incident, and breakfast was only served the following morning. Others allege they had to pay for an evening meal themselves.
Passengers, whose luggage was on the original flight to Belfast, were unable to collect luggage, when disembarking the plane at Dublin Airport.
Passengers who filled in a missing bag report at the Ryanair desk were reportedly advised to keep their fingers crossed, that the luggage was in Belfast International Airport.
A couple from Killyleagh, who had to travel from Dublin to Belfast International Airport to pick up their luggage, were told their cases were lost.
It is alleged after contacting Ryanair they were told they had nothing to do with lost baggage – and were left to call each airport in a hope of finding it.
The incident has been deemed a ‘fiasco’ and stressful.
A Ryanair spokesperson reportedly said all customers on the said flight on Wednesday had been provided with hotel accommodation, and had travelled on other Ryanair services.
