Holidaymakers have described "chaos" at Bristol Airport after their flights were cancelled last minute and luggage was reportedly left on the floor. Passengers travelling through Bristol Airport were among thousands affected by mass cancellations of UK flights this week, with some spending 12 hours at the airport before their flight was spiked.
Bristol Live reports that passengers travelling on the 1.35pm flight to Paphos, Cyprus, on Saturday, May 28, had an email from TUI cancelling their flight after they had waited more than eight hours at the airport. One passenger said they received their email but there were no TUI staff around to talk to or find out what to do next about their luggage, as all their bags had been checked in hours before.
Another passenger, Jason Nash, told Bristol Live he had been due to travel to Rhodes with his wife, mother and two young children aged five and ten, at 4.10pm on Saturday. After the take-off time was pushed back several times, Mr Nash said that at around 8pm a message came on the tannoy to say the flight would be leaving later that evening. Later that night - around 12 hours after the family arrived at the airport - the holiday was cancelled entirely. You can get more travel news and other story updates by subscribing to our newsletters here.
Others also reported issues travelling through the airport on Saturday, with many posting their dissatisfaction on social media.
TUI has apologised for the cancellations, citing a "combination of factors causing significant operational disruption" on Saturday. Passengers on other flights on Saturday also reported issues, with one saying their luggage had been left "thrown on the floor" after their easyJet flight to Naples was cancelled. Others called the airport a "zoo" and reported "people crying, a few shouting and others just looking dazed."
The situation appeared calmer on Sunday, May 29, with passengers reporting being able to get their flight without delays or long queues.
Airports across the UK have been hit with flight cancellations this week as airlines struggle to keep up with demand due to staff shortages and supply chain issues. Both easyJet and TUI announced the cancellation of some flights in order to cope. You can read more about what do you if your flight is delayed or cancelled here.
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