Holidaymakers heading for summer break in Cyprus delayed for two days
PASSENGERS hoping to head off for a summer break in Cyprus have instead spent the last two days waiting for their plane to take off.
Around 180 passengers were due to jet off to Larnaca from Humberside Airport on Saturday, but were left waiting until 5.30pm yesterday to begin their break.
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flight delays: Humberside Airport.
Another 180 passengers who were due to return on Saturday were stranded in Cyprus.
More than 100 of the frustrated holidaymakers stormed on Thomas Cook's Hull city centre office yesterday morning to voice their anger.
The company blamed the delay on "unavoidable operational circumstances" with the Eurocypria aircraft.
However, passengers claimed that, while they were provided with hotel accommodation in the city, they were not kept informed about the delay and were not visited by anyone from the holiday company.
Eventually they were told that a coach would collect them at 2.15pm for the 5.30pm flight.
Staff visited the passengers throughout the afternoon at the hotels where they had been staying.
The company has also pledged to refund passengers for the days of their holiday that they missed.
A spokesperson for Thomas Cook said: "We would like to sincerely apologise for the lengthy wait and thank our holidaymakers for their patience and understanding."
Aviation consumer watchdog the Air Transport Users Council said most of the passengers should be able to claim compensation.
5 Comments
by John Parkin, Hull
Thursday, July 29 2010, 5:03PM
“Dave, Lincs. You are talking manure. The failure of Thomas Cook to find a replacement aircraft for the one that went tech IN LARNACA has nothing to do with Humberside at all... Spares and engineers can be easily transported to the airport if need be, as has happened in the past!
You will find that when this happens at every airport from time to time and is bad luck, so stop talking rubbish.”
by Neil, Cleethorpes
Tuesday, July 27 2010, 4:57PM
“I do understand the point,Brian. I took my ex wife to Amsterdam for a romantic weekend. Our plane was cancelled. It took an extra two days to get back due to overcapacity on the BA route. I was not going to pay for other flights. My credit card did not like it,as she bought most of the city. I still enjoyed it.”
by Brian, Grimsby
Tuesday, July 27 2010, 4:41PM
“I agree with Dave, but Neil you are missing the point.
Do not use Thomas Cook their customer service is beyond abysmal.
We had a similar situation flying back from Turkey 2 weeks ago with Thomas Cook, a 27 hour delay with no reps, customer service and no news about what was happening.
I understand delays are inevitable and that these charter companys have no spare planes or parts.
But poor customer service and being ignorant to your customers needs is not acceptable especially as times are tough and more peolple are choosing 'staycations'
So get a grip Thomas Cook because you will not be our 'first choice' anymore.”
by Dave, lincs
Tuesday, July 27 2010, 3:43PM
“The moral of the story is dont fly from Humberside if you can help it...there have been delays every week for the last few months, due to no spares on site, no engineers on site and no spare aircraft, either onsite or made available by the travel companies...”
by Neil, Cleethorpes
Tuesday, July 27 2010, 11:23AM
“In the later 70's,I went to my sisters house in Bermuda. There were only two flights a week then. My original flight was cancelled due to problems. I was "stuck" for another five days. Did I mind? Not exactly.....And it gave me a great excuse why I was a bit late for work. These things happen. I doubt the people in Cyprus are complaining too much......”