A flight heading to Manchester from Mexico was forced to turn back over the Atlantic Ocean, resulting in hundreds of passengers being stranded for over 24 hours. The incident occurred due to a medical emergency onboard, causing the aircraft to divert its route. The affected passengers had to wait in Ireland’s Shannon Airport before finally making it back to Manchester on Sunday afternoon, more than 48 hours after departing Cancun.
Reports indicate that the medical emergency was possibly related to alcohol, although there are suggestions that the passenger may have had an existing health condition, a claim disputed by TUI. Following the diversion to Gander, Canada, the plane was only able to proceed to Shannon, Ireland, due to flight time restrictions and legal limitations on the crew’s flying hours.
Upon disembarking in Shannon, passengers faced further delays as an electrical issue required maintenance attention, leading to a lengthy wait both on the aircraft and in the airport lounge. TUI informed passengers about a technical problem, necessitating another offloading of luggage before eventually accommodating them in the airport lounge.
Due to the flight disruption, hotel accommodations were fully booked, leaving travelers like Nicole Higgins and newlyweds Claire and Jamie stranded in the airport. TUI has since arranged alternative flights for all affected passengers, offering compensation for the inconvenience faced during the ordeal. The airline expressed gratitude for the understanding of the passengers and assured them of efforts to ensure their safe return home.
In light of the situation, TUI emphasized the importance of swift medical response and passenger safety, highlighting the crew’s professionalism in handling the emergency. The airline apologized for the disruptions and inconvenience caused, reiterating its commitment to resolving the situation promptly and ensuring passengers’ well-being throughout the journey.