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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
World
Sophie McLaughlin & Kate Lally

TUI passengers forced to miss work while stranded in Greece

Hundreds of passengers have been left "stranded" in Greece after a flight back to the UK was cancelled for a second time.

A TUI flight from Kos to Belfast that was set to depart at 9.20pm on Saturday night was cancelled due to "technical difficulties". Passengers said they went through security and were waiting to board at the gate when they were escorted back through the airport by local police.

Travellers told Belfast Live "over 200 passengers" were escorted by local police back were then told to collect their luggage and taken to stay in a hotel 45 minutes away.

READ MORE: Police called after easyJet passenger refuses to turn his phone off

TUI representatives informed travellers that the replacement flight set to leave on Sunday had been cancelled, meaning passengers would have been waiting 48 hours to return home. One holidaymaker said people were "arguing and angry" at the hotel and families were left worrying that they don't have enough formula for their babies.

He said: "The airport was tiny and the amount of people was madness, it was rammed and queuing for the fast food restaurant was an hour and a half. Just want to get home - lots of people complaining.

"This hotel is now full of passengers going to Belfast and I’ve heard people complaining saying they were meant to be working today but have had to ring work and cancel to say they’re still stuck in Kos. I know for me personally it’s quite annoying because you are talking nearly nine hours of travelling from the hotel in Kos to my house in Fermanagh.

"To be fair to TUI they’ve set us up in this hotel with all inclusive so there are mixed emotions between people, some are happy with their free bar but some are angry with not getting home."

Another group of passengers said that the delay and uncertainty of the situation has "majorly impacted" them.

They added: "There are several young children here, people are missing work and have been placed into a hotel with substandard rooms, ants in the suitcases, smelly musty rooms. Many people have had to contact their employers, unable to give an update of when they will return to work."

They said they were informed just after 6pm in Greece that there would be no flight on Sunday evening with many people unhappy with the quality of the hotel as they said "the rooms are very poor".

A TUI spokesperson said: "We’d like to apologise to customers due to travel on flight TOM1649 from Kos to Belfast which was unable to depart as planned due to operational issues. Everyone has been able to stay in their hotels and meals have been provided. We are in touch and will update them with revised travel plans as soon as we can.

"We understand that delays are frustrating and we thank all impacted customers for their patience. Customers on this flight are entitled to compensation in line with regulations and have already been sent information on how to submit a claim."

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