Probe starts after flight delayed

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A delay which left passengers stuck on a plane on a runway for more than six hours has been branded as "unacceptable" by Newcastle Airport.

Police had to be called on Sunday to calm the situation on board the Flyjet plane, which was bound for the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh.

The grounded flight was eventually cancelled and more than 200 people hope to resume their journey on Monday.

Newcastle Airport has promised a full review into the Sunday's incident.

The flight was due to take off at 1200 BST on Sunday, but missed its slot due to a technical problem.

More than 200 holidaymakers waited on the plane while it was fixed, but once it was ready to go a discrepancy in the passenger numbers was spotted.

All the baggage was taken off and passengers had to identify each piece of luggage, until it was established that everybody was present.

We fully understand the anger and frustration felt by those who have had their holiday plans disrupted Newcastle Airport

Then a holidaymaker became ill and was taken to hospital with stomach pains.

Northumbria Police based at the airport were called on board, after cabin crew became concerned for their safety, but there were no arrests.

The flight was cancelled at 1950 BST, nearly eight hours later after it was due to take off, and holidaymakers put up in a hotel.

They are hoping to fly out on Monday.

Layla Nugent, 31, from Newcastle, was travelling with her partner and two young children, said that the experience had been "an absolute nightmare".

'Very disappointed'

Speaking from the check-in queue on Monday morning, she said: "The crew wouldn't let anyone off and we were told if we tried to leave the plane we would be arrested for going on the tarmac.

"When we got off the police said the cabin crew were in fear of their lives but, in my eyes, everyone was perfectly well-behaved.

"People were annoyed but there were no riots."

Newcastle Airport said in a statement: "We were very disappointed to learn of the experience suffered by passengers booked on this flight, which was unacceptable.

"We fully understand the anger and frustration felt by those who have had their holiday plans disrupted.

"Managers at Newcastle International Airport will be speaking to the airline and handling agent Servisair in order to conduct a full review of the circumstances leading up to yesterday's cancellation, and the way in which our customers were treated."