David MacDonald said his holiday was ruined after Aberdeen passengers from a Tui flight were “dumped” in Edinburgh with no way home.
Mr MacDonald and his partner were left completely shocked after their flight home to Aberdeen ended up with them stranded in Edinburgh at 3.30am on Sunday morning.
Returning from a “beautiful” holiday in Majorca, the couple boarded the Tui TOM1665 in Palma to Aberdeen feeling refreshed.
However it soon turned into a “long, harrowing journey”. After the flight was initially delayed two and half hours, the aircraft finally left Palma at around 9pm.
Then, around halfway through the journey, the pilot announced they would have to be redirected to Edinburgh Airport due to fog in Aberdeen.
‘We were literally dumped in Edinburgh’
Mr MacDonald who was on board with his partner from Newtonhill, said although this was not ideal, the weather could not be helped.
However, when the plane finally landed in Edinburgh hours late – things started to get even worse.
Passengers were told they would soon be taken to the terminal and buses would be arranged to take them to Aberdeen.
The 71-year-old said “soon” then turned into an hour: “We were not even offered any refreshments or foods or anything after we arrived.
“Eventually we got into the terminal and picked up our luggage.”
After passengers were waiting around for even longer, an email was then sent by Tui at 3.10am telling customers they were unable to organise transport – they would have to make their own way to Aberdeen.
“We were literally dumped in Edinburgh and left to our own devices,” said Mr MacDonald.
“I travelled for years and years and years all over the world for work and I have never, ever experienced treatment like that in my life.”
‘It’s put us off going on holiday’
While some transport options were arranged for those with disabilities, the rest were left stranded.
Calling Tui the “most despicable” company, the Brechin resident added: “They basically just abandoned us.
“It’s like they stuck two fingers up and said ‘We’re not interested, we’ve got your money.’
“As far as my partner and myself are concerned, it’s just put us off going on holiday.
“To come home and have to suffer through all this because of some incompetent companies.
“I’m disgusted. I’m shocked, my holiday has been ruined.”
The couple eventually left the airport after paying £403 for a taxi back to Aberdeen.
“It’s been a long, harrowing journey,” Mr MacDonald added.
“I’m luckily financially able to cover costs of paying things. I’m certain there must have been people on that flight who did not have the money to take transport to Aberdeen, what happened to them?”
“First of all I would like a written apology from the managing director of the company for the inept way the company has treated passengers on the Tui flight.
“Individual letters should be sent to the passengers and I think that there should be compensation sent to people.”
‘Despite best efforts’ unable to secure transport
A spokeswoman for Tui said: “We fully understand the frustration from customers on flight TOM1665 from Palma to Aberdeen which was initially delayed due to the inbound flight being delayed because of knock-on operational issues.
“Unfortunately, due to bad weather in Aberdeen, the flight then had to be diverted to Edinburgh.
“Upon arrival at Edinburgh airport, due to staff shortages there was a longer-than-usual wait time for baggage.
“Our teams worked hard to secure transportation for customers to return to Aberdeen from Edinburgh, however despite their best efforts, we were unable to secure the adequate number of vehicles for all customers.
“Customers were advised that if they could organise their own arrangements for onward travel to do so and submit their receipts for reimbursement.
“We’d like to apologise to all customers for the inconvenience and thank them for their patience and understanding at this time.”
Conversation