TUI passengers ‘screamed with fear’ after plane forced to abandon landing in strong winds
TUI passengers “screamed with fear” when their plane was forced to abandon its landing in strong winds.
A pilot diverted to East Midlands airport when windy and wild weather hit the UK on Thursday.
The plane had been due to land at Manchester Airport at 8pm – and passengers were on the tarmac before they realised they were 70 miles away in Derby.
The plane was buffeted around in “awful” turbulence as Storm Larissa battered the country with 25mph winds.
Passenger Gareth Salter told Manchester Evening News: “People were panicking. There were some young girls behind us in floods of tears.
“I didn’t think I’d see my family again.”
Mr Salter claimed they were “abandoned” in the airport with no way to get home.
TUI said it offered passengers the option of making their own way home and claiming the costs back.
Others were offered accommodation where it was unsafe to travel, it claimed.
Storm Larissa hit the UK on Thursday, bringing travel chaos to the country.
Wind speeds hit 50mph and up to 16in (40cm) of snow fell.
Railway lines between Manchester Piccadilly and Sheffield were suspended.
And other services were cancelled across the North, affecting areas including Huddersfield, Leeds, York and Chester.
Motorists on the M62 in Greater Manchester were stranded overnight, with congestion stretching back eight miles on the eastbound route between Rochdale and Saddleworth.
A TUI spokesperson said: “We can confirm that TOM2477 from Tenerife to Manchester Airport on March 9 diverted to East Midlands Airport, due to adverse weather conditions during the approach back to Manchester.
“Customers arrived safely into East Midlands Airport and were made aware of the diversion on arrival.
“Transfers were organised to take customers back to Manchester Airport and accommodation was offered where necessary.
“Customers received regular updates throughout the evening. We’d like to apologise for any inconvenience caused and thank customers for their patience and understanding.
“The safety of our customers and crew is our number one priority.”