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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Holidaymakers arrive in Corfu after 39-hour delay | Holidaymakers arrive in Corfu after 39-hour delay |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Holidaymakers delayed for more than 39 hours at Manchester Airport have finally arrived in Corfu. | Holidaymakers delayed for more than 39 hours at Manchester Airport have finally arrived in Corfu. |
| More than 100 passengers were due to fly at 11:00 BST on Monday, but were told their flight was going to be late due to a "technical fault". | More than 100 passengers were due to fly at 11:00 BST on Monday, but were told their flight was going to be late due to a "technical fault". |
| The flight, operated by Lithuanian airline Small Planet, was delayed several more times and eventually left at about 02:00 on Wednesday. | The flight, operated by Lithuanian airline Small Planet, was delayed several more times and eventually left at about 02:00 on Wednesday. |
| Small Planet apologised on Facebook for "all the inconveniences". | Small Planet apologised on Facebook for "all the inconveniences". |
| 'Lack of information' | 'Lack of information' |
| Paul Kenny, who booked the flight through tour operator Olympic Holidays, is among passengers who have now arrived at Corfu. | Paul Kenny, who booked the flight through tour operator Olympic Holidays, is among passengers who have now arrived at Corfu. |
| He said: "At first it was just the usual delay, we had been called to the departure gate. It was saying 'wait a couple more hours' - then two more hours before any more information. | He said: "At first it was just the usual delay, we had been called to the departure gate. It was saying 'wait a couple more hours' - then two more hours before any more information. |
| "I think what people got angry about was there was never any detail. There was contradictory information on Twitter," Mr Kenny said. | "I think what people got angry about was there was never any detail. There was contradictory information on Twitter," Mr Kenny said. |
| "We stood around very patiently for long periods of time [on Tuesday] and there were raised voices at times, particularly yesterday morning. Bearing in mind we had been going 20 hours by then." | "We stood around very patiently for long periods of time [on Tuesday] and there were raised voices at times, particularly yesterday morning. Bearing in mind we had been going 20 hours by then." |
| Mr Kenny said he and his family were determined to "make the most" of the remaining time left of their holiday. | Mr Kenny said he and his family were determined to "make the most" of the remaining time left of their holiday. |
| "People just want to be sitting by the pool with a cold beer in their hands," he added. "Most families on this flight are only here for a week and this is the morning of our third day." | "People just want to be sitting by the pool with a cold beer in their hands," he added. "Most families on this flight are only here for a week and this is the morning of our third day." |
| Compensation claims | Compensation claims |
| In a statement Small Planet apologised for passengers' inconvenience and stress and said this was "one of the most difficult technical situations we've experienced in some time". | |
| The hydraulic system needed immediate repair, it said, adding: "flight safety is an absolute and foremost priority". | |
| The firm "actively" looked for a replacement aircraft but no options were available until Wednesday, it said. | |
| The statement added: "We made every effort to take care of [passengers] by organising welfare as well as hotels with meals and transportation so that they could wait for their flights as comfortably as possible." | |
| Passengers can apply for compensation, according to EU261 rules, on the Small Planet website, a spokesperson added. | |
| On arrival in Corfu, the delayed passengers were handed leaflets explaining how they could claim compensation, Mr Kenny said. | On arrival in Corfu, the delayed passengers were handed leaflets explaining how they could claim compensation, Mr Kenny said. |
| He added: "We have lost almost a third of our holiday, so a big chunk of it. We'll make the most of the holiday we have left and then I'll pick up the paperwork and the arguments when we get back." | He added: "We have lost almost a third of our holiday, so a big chunk of it. We'll make the most of the holiday we have left and then I'll pick up the paperwork and the arguments when we get back." |
| Manchester Airport confirmed the delay was the longest passengers have had to endure there. | Manchester Airport confirmed the delay was the longest passengers have had to endure there. |