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TUI flight from Lanzarote to Belfast International diverted to Faro

10 Jun

An East Belfast man has told how his flight from Lanzarote to Belfast was diverted to Faro.

Jim Weir was on the 7.55pm flight into Belfast International on Monday, June 9 and says the disruption would make him reconsider flying with TUI again.

The passenger says travellers were told by the captain that ground staff in Lanzarote did not load the plane with enough fuel.

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He added that the captain also told passengers that the flight would not be leaving until a price was agreed on fuel.

Jim told Belfast Live : "The flight was about 20 minutes from Faro Airport when the captain came on to announce that due to ground staff at Lanzarote Airport not loading enough fuel to reach Belfast, the flight was being diverted to Faro airport.

"This caused a lot of anger amongst passengers, many with young children who were already tired and some frightened to have to land and and take of again...

"The plane was on Faro runway for around 40 minutes whilst the fuel was being loaded on, then the captain came on to announce that the flight would not be leaving until TUI and Faro Airport reached a price on the fuel.

"The flight eventually landed into Belfast International at around 2am instead of 12.05am. At least everyone got home safe and sound, thankfully.

"It would make me consider flying with TUI again as I've never had an experience this before. Hopefully it's not repeated again."

A TUI spokesperson said: "We’d like to apologise to customers on flight TOM1473 from Lanzarote to Belfast on Thursday 9 June for the delay and disruption to their flight.

"Unfortunately, due to operational issues the flight departed late from Lanzarote and required a short fuel-stop in Portugal.

"We’re sorry for the impact of this delay and would like to thank our customers for their patience and understanding at this time."

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