An investigation is under way after a locked suitcase was opened and valuable 21st birthday gifts stolen after it had been checked in at a UK airport. The Read family were heading to Portugal where daughter Ella would be celebrating her milestone birthday.
They checked in their luggage at Manchester Airport but when they arrived in Lisbon they discovered the padlock on the case was missing and jewellery and cards containing cash for Ella were gone. The airport, easyJet and baggage handlers are all carrying out an investigation into what happened between the family handing over their case and getting it back at the end of the flight.
Ella's mum, Catherine, said: "We're absolutely shocked that this can happen. You pay for a service, you pay for a suitcase and you even put a padlock on it and this happens. It's an absolute disgrace,"
"Ella always wanted to come to Lisbon. Now she's got no birthday cards or anything to open on her birthday."
The family was looking forward to their trip during which Ella will turn 21 on Saturday. Catherine is also celebrating her birthday on Monday when she will be 51, reports the Manchester Evening News.
Ella, Catherine and dad David, 53, all flew out of Terminal 1 at Manchester Airport on Sunday morning. The family, from Hyde, checked in one large suitcase which was fastened by a padlock with a four-digit code. It contained the surprise gifts including a Tiffany necklace, a Thomas Sabo bracelet and cards for Ella and Catherine containing about £300.
They said it took about 45 minutes for them to go through security but the flight left on time and they landed in Lisbon just after 1pm local time. They say their bag came through quickly and they noticed the padlock was missing and items were missing.
Catherine, who has another daughter, Hannah, 26, believes the crime happened while the bag was at Manchester Airport as, she says, it was quickly removed from the plane by baggage handlers in Lisbon and soon on the luggage carousel in the arrivals hall. Other members of the family bought replacement birthday cards for Ella's 21st.
Catherine said: "It's not right. Why should they be able to go through people's personal belongings. We just don't want this to happen to anybody else. It's not a nice feeling knowing someone has gone through your personal belongings. We've never experienced anything like this before."
A spokesman for EasyJet said: "We are sorry to learn of the Read family’s experience. We take all allegations of this nature very seriously and are investigating this with our baggage handling partner at Manchester Airport.
"We work closely with all of our airport partners to ensure our passengers’ bags are handled securely. We are in touch with the family to apologise for their experience and offer any further assistance we can in the matter."
A spokesperson for Manchester Airport said: "It is disappointing to hear of the Read’s experience while travelling to Portugal, and are assured by easyJet they will be fully investigating the matter."
Airlines contract ground handling agents to handle travellers' baggage.
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