A Jet2 flight from Tenerife to Belfast was forced to divert to Shannon Airport in the early hours of Saturday morning due to a medical emergency and a disruptive passenger.
Flight number LS305, which was due to arrive at Belfast International Airport at 1.10am this morning, had to instead land temporarily at Shannon after an incident.
Upon arrival at the airport, the passenger requiring medical assistance was met by paramedics while the man causing a disturbance was removed from the aircraft.
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In a statement to Belfast Live, a spokesperson for the airline said: "Flight LS305 from Tenerife to Belfast International had to divert to Shannon Airport last night, due to a customer onboard requiring medical assistance. Unfortunately, once on the ground, a disruptive passenger caused a further delay meaning the crew ran out of operational hours.
"As a result, we were unable to fly back to Belfast International from Shannon last night. Although we do not operate from Shannon Airport, our teams worked tirelessly to try organise accommodation and ground transportation for affected customers last night but encountered a lack of availability.
"We have provided vouchers for refreshments, and we can confirm that customers will be flying back to Belfast International shortly. We have done everything we can to look after customers in very difficult circumstances, however we would of course like to sincerely apologise to everyone affected."
One of the passengers making his way home from holiday with his wife was Henry McAleese, 52, also from Belfast.
He told Belfast Live: "The flight left Tenerife at 9.15pm, 45 minutes late and then we were diverted into Shannon airport for what was described as a medical emergency. We landed there at around 12.40am and then the crew also had to deal with a nasty passenger, who was then offloaded at Shannon.
"The crew ran out of flying hours at 2.45am and the passengers were put off aircraft. We have been left sitting in Shannon airport and have had no information at all from Jet 2. We've basically been left stranded and everyone is just exhausted due to lack of sleep. Some people will have to travel on to Derry and Newry once we eventually get back to Belfast."
Ellie Sophia Weir, 25, was travelling home with her family after a week in the sun and said those left waiting for hours for news on how they will get home included parents with young children and some disabled passengers.
"We were only 45 minutes away from Belfast when this all happened. We had to sit an additional two hours on the plane at Shannon Airport after being told that they were refuelling and had to endure two baggage checks only to be told that staff had reached maximum working hours. We had to take our luggage and go to the airport terminal where everything was closed for the night.
"We were left there from 2.46am and are still waiting for news. We received a £20 voucher for food from the airport but are still sitting here waiting and the plane is still sitting on the runway. My daughter is autistic so it has been a nightmare. I have never experienced anything like this before in my life."
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