Tuesday 28 June 2022 08:57 PM Holiday hell as TUI flight to Majorca is delayed for 43 HOURS with families ... trends now

Holidaymakers faced chaos at Norwich airport after families were forced to 'sleep in their cars' following a 43-hour flight delay to Majorca. 

Passengers were scheduled to fly with TUI at 7:20pm on Friday to Palma, but a 'technical fault with the aircraft' left them waiting in limbo for updates from the travel agency. 

Following two days and nights in the airport, the jet eventually took off at 1:55pm on Sunday afternoon. 

Spanish airline Albastar were operating the TUI flight that was delayed. 

Pensioner, Terry Mack, 75, said the service was 'appalling' after many elderly passengers were forced to sleep in their cars and across the seats of the small airport.

He told ITV News: 'I am 75 years of age, I have travelled all over the world since the age of 16. Never in 59 years have I ever known people to be treated so appallingly.' 

Passengers also claimed they were 'not offered accommodation' as they waited for updates over a '43-hour period'. 

One furious traveller, Luce, took to Twitter and blasted TUI's 'disgusting customer service' and not being able to 'purchase food or drink' for her children due to the 'pubs being shut' after the company announced the flight was delayed.

She wrote: 'Arrived at Norwich Airport at 4.30 for 7.30 flight. No food being served so no dinner for kids. We go to board at 7pm [but there's a] technical fault with the plane. Still waiting. Go to buy the kids a drink, pub closed. Hoping TUI can help us out.

'I've called them twice. Once at 4.30am. No call back. Again at 7am. She said they were waiting for parts for the plane and would call me back within the hour. One hour and 40 mins later still no call. Absolutely disgusting customer service from TUI.

'Not one update since the flight was cancelled at 7pm last night. Been on hold for so long and keep being passed from person to person! We knew there was a fault at 7pm last night. Just spoke to Norwich airport who said they are still waiting on information from TUI.' 

As the hours went by, holidaymakers were 'left in limbo waiting for updates' from the travel agent - Luce claimed delays were experienced up 'to the very second'.

Luce added: 'Everyone is angry due to the lack of updates. It's not fair. Now at the airport. Due to leave in 40 mins. Announcement saying more delays. More technical issues. No TUI reps on site. Next information at 1pm!!'

While many businesses in the aviation sector are struggling to rehire staff after many were let go during the pandemic due to a collapse in demand thanks to successive lockdowns, high levels of staff sickness for those who are still employed is also having an impact. 

TUI has also come under fire for reportedly diverting a flight from Larnaca in Cyprus, which was due to land at Bristol, to Gatwick, before telling passengers to 'find their own way home.' 

One affected customer fumed: 'You left diverted passengers at Gatwick with no bus to take them back to Bristol airport and your staff crying because of the situation - 24 hour delayed from Larnaca and then this. Passengers told to find their own way home.' 

It comes after miserable holidaymakers at Bristol Airport were yesterday forced to sleep on the floor to avoid the queues while those at Heathrow Airport were being made to go on a wild goose chase to find their own luggage.

One traveller brought an air bed with them to Bristol as they battled to check-in, as queues grew from as early as 4.30am.

Customers had shown up hours earlier than

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