A Ryanair passenger who was stranded overnight in Bilbao said air-traffic controllers at the airport went home rather than waiting an extra 15 minutes for the aircraft to take off.
Sara Diggle was aboard Ryanair flight RK3209 departing from Malaga and landing in Manchester. Roughly an hour into the flight the captain diverted whilst above Spanish city Bilbao due to a medical emergency.
These diversions are common and after the passenger has been taken off the aircraft, the aircraft is typically refuelled and the journey resumes, as reported by The Independent.
Despite the aircraft being refuelled and ready to continue to Manchester, passengers were told air-traffic control staff “refused to wait 15 minutes to see us off,” according to Ms Diggle.
“They went home so we were unloaded, left high and dry to make our own arrangements for hotels,” she added.
An airport spokesperson says the flight plan “exceeded operational hours”.
Due to strict rules on crew hours, the pilots and cabin crew had to rest before continuing, meaning the aircraft didn’t take off until 1pm on Sunday. They eventually landed in Manchester 14 hours behind schedule.
Speaking to The Independent, a spokesperson for the airport operator Aena, said: “I can confirm that the flight to Manchester departed on Sunday, at 13.01 local time. It didn’t depart the night before because the flight plan exceeded the operational hours of Bilbao airport.”
Ms Diggle said that when they got off the plane on Saturday night: “There were no taxis, just ones arranged for the crew. We walked to the nearest airport hotel and checked in.
“I got a text at least to advise what time the flight would leave Bilbao. Others got nothing – I assume that’s because they didn’t register their mobile or didn’t book direct.
“The cabin crew were great – not their fault but were very empathetic to the passengers.”
A spokesperson for Ryanair told The Independent: “This flight from Malaga to Manchester diverted to Bilbao after a passenger became ill onboard. The aircraft was met by medics upon arrival and this passenger was offloaded and transported to a nearby hospital.
“Passengers were notified of the diversion and advised of their options. Despite Ryanair’s efforts to arrange accommodation for passengers, availability was limited, and passengers were advised that they could arrange individual accommodation that they could claim back receipted expenses on Ryanair.com.
“This flight departed for Manchester the following day.”