British holidaymakers were left to sleep on the cold floor of Lanzarote airport overnight after their Jet2 flight to Manchester was cancelled due to bad weather. Passengers, including young families, were told there were few hotel rooms available and were left without food or drink, according to those affected.
Carl Bickerton, 62, from Stockport, was travelling with his wife and 16-year-old son. He described the ordeal as 'bizarre' after their 8.15pm flight was delayed and then cancelled. Passengers spent four hours on the plane before being returned to the terminal, which closed at midnight.
'People just wanted to know what was going on,' Mr Bickerton said. He noted that some passengers with disabilities were helped into hotels, but the majority, including his family, slept on the floor or on suitcases. Jet2 staff issued 20-euro vouchers for food and drink, and at 6am on Sunday passengers were told they would depart at noon, resulting in a 16-hour delay.
A spokesperson for César Manrique-Lanzarote Airport confirmed that adverse weather caused diversions and cancellations, adding that passenger assistance is the responsibility of the airlines. Jet2 has been contacted for comment but has not yet responded.
