A Ryanair passenger has recounted her “nightmare” journey home after she and 65 other flyers were left waiting for 23 hours in Lanzarote.
Michelle Moran, from Tubbercurry in Ireland’s County Sligo, was among those affected when their flight to Ireland West Airport in Knock, County Mayo, was delayed thanks to passport control issues.
The passport disruption on Wednesday left swathes of travellers scrambling to book alternative flights and accommodation – with some unable to return home until Thursday evening.
“It was completely carnage,” Moran said, describing the chaotic scenes at Lanzarote’s Cesar Manrique Airport.
Ryanair said the issue was beyond its control, citing “passport control delays” in Lanzarote
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Moran said that passengers had checked in on time and were waiting at the non-priority gate – but just one officer was on call for passport checks, leading to significant delays.
“We were gobsmacked that we had missed the plane,” Moran said.
“We had already been through passport security at check-in so what was going to change in the two hours waiting to get on the plane?”
Ryanair said the issue was beyond its control, citing “passport control delays” at Lanzarote Airport.
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Affected passengers were told to pay an extra €100 for further flights
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While a complaint to local police suggested understaffing and possible system failures contributed to the problem.
Affected passengers were told to pay an extra €100 for further flights, with limited support from Ryanair staff.
Moran and her husband finally managed to secure a flight to Shannon Airport at 7:15 pm on Wednesday, but their journey was far from over.
“We arrived in Shannon Airport at 12.15 am with no availability of accommodation,” Moran explained.
Ryanair apologised for the inconvenience, but maintained the issue was “entirely beyond airlines’ control”
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The couple then took a bus to Galway, arriving at 2.30 am. They found refuge in a branch of Irish fast food chain Supermacs until 3am, then waited in a local hotel lobby until 6am.
They then finally made their way to the airport in Knock to collect their car before finally driving home to Sligo.
“Our journey started on Wednesday in Lanzarote checking in at 9.45am after a lovely week, and ended on Thursday, 24 hours later, collecting our car in Knock,” Moran said.
Ryanair apologised for the inconvenience, but maintained the issue was “entirely beyond airlines’ control”, while a spokesman said passengers who arrived at the boarding gate on time were able to board.
Ireland West Airport’s Donal Healy acknowledged the situation, saying their ability to assist was limited but would help affected passengers with car park charges.
Aena, which operates of Lanzarote Airport, clarified that passport control is the responsibility of the National Police.
Moran and other passengers have filed complaints with Ryanair, the airport, and the police.
She’s questioned the airline’s procedures, asking: “Why do they insist we be there hours ahead of the flight – but yet only allow 45 minutes to board a full flight?”
Source Agencies
