Call for an instant quote 0345 90 80 161
Open Mon to Fri 09:00 - 17:30 | Sat 09:00 - 16:00 (GMT)
02 July 2013 09:09
Passengers on an easyJet plane were left stranded on the runway in baking temperatures
Airline easyJet has apologised after British tourists were left stranded for 30 hours in extreme heat due to an overnight delay on a flight from Egypt to Gatwick Airport.
The 164 passengers, who included pregnant women, babies and pensioners, were forced to stay on board for five hours when Thursday's scheduled 5pm take-off from Sharm El-Sheikh was delayed because of a technical issue.
Those on board, mostly Britons, claimed that the temperature approached 30C (86F) before they were let off the plane and put up in a hotel.
The flight was rescheduled for Friday morning, but this was moved back to 7pm and then delayed even further to 10.40pm. The plane finally landed at Gatwick at 4am on Saturday.
Passenger Luke Gayle, 20, of Croydon, south London, said: "It was a disgrace. People were crying and understandably losing their tempers while we were stuck on the tarmac. A woman six months pregnant lay across three seats. It was roasting hot and there was no food. The captain had to come out and try to calm everyone down - and again in the airport next day."
Extreme events such as this highlight the importance of having travel insurance before flying abroad, including seniors travel insurance for older travellers and travel insurance for pregnancy for those who are expecting.
In a statement, the airline apologised to the passengers for any inconvenience or distress caused by the delay and assured them that everything was done to minimise the disruption.
"The safety and wellbeing of our passengers and crew is easyJet's highest priority and the aircraft's departure was delayed while inspection and repair procedures were followed on the ground," the company said.
"All passengers were transferred to accommodation where every effort was made to ensure that they were comfortable and kept informed as to the flight's rescheduled departure time on 28 June and notified that they were able to make up to two telephone calls free of charge. We apologise if there was a delay in any of those passengers receiving this information on arrival at the hotel."
22 June 2018
The number of older people diagnosed with cancer is set to increase dramatically over the next 20 years, according to experts.
[more...]
21 June 2018
Patients value their relationship with a GP more importantly than surgery opening times, according to new research.
Only 3% of patients with the most common type of pancreatic cancer are living more than five years after being diagnosed, new analysis has shown.
19 June 2018
An England fan has urged supporters back home to head to Russia and experience the warm welcome he's been enjoying from locals.
14 June 2018
A new, low-cost portable device to help protect communities in Columbia from contaminated water has been developed by British engineers.
12 June 2018
As we near the opening match of football's grandest celebration on Thursday, fans are beginning to arrive in enthusiastic droves in Moscow.
09 June 2018
Scientists are trialling blood tests to find out the risk expecting mothers have of delivering prematurely.
08 June 2018
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has warned holiday-goers that some commonly-prescribed medicines are "controlled drugs" in certain countries.
A new lung cancer drug which is said to stretch life expectancy by a year is being introduced to the NHS.
06 June 2018
As pollen counts hit their highest level this week, hay fever sufferers are likely to suffer.
05 June 2018
Care home demanded to make improvements amid "serious concerns"
30 May 2018
Academics have announced their plans to examine suicide risk in men, as well as the ways to reduce it.