Around 150 easyJet passengers have been stranded at Tunisia's Enfidha airport for almost three days after their flight to Belfast was cancelled. The passengers, due to fly on Saturday night, were already waiting at the gate when they were told the flight would not take off. Parents, children, pregnant women and elderly passengers were reportedly among those affected, facing uncertainty about when they might return home.
Technical issue forces cancellation
Flight EZY3072 was cancelled after experiencing a technical issue. Alternative services, including with other carriers, were described as "very limited" due to the large number of people travelling at this time of year.
Passenger Gina Dochartaigh expressed frustration on social media, saying she was stranded on her own with her six children after her husband had to cut his holiday short due to a family emergency. She said: "Over 150 passengers have been stranded in Tunisia since Saturday night. After 4 hr delay, Easyjet cancelled EZY 3072 from Enfidha to Belfast International Sat 22nd - early Sunday morning due to technical issues. They sent for an engineer from the UK but the plane is still out of service."
Passengers report lack of communication
Ms Dochartaigh added: "EasyJet have only arranged and paid for 2 nights accommodation for affected passengers and have now completely relinquished their duty of care to their passengers. There has been no engagement team set up by the airline to liaise with passengers, zero transparency and seemingly no contingency plan for a cancelled flight exceeding 3 days! Complete communication blackout!"
She continued: "I'm here on my own with 6 children as my husband had to cut his holiday short, and flew out the day before departure on Friday on 21st due to a family emergency. There are two pregnant women travelling with disabled children, elderly passengers who require special assistance and passengers running out of medication."
EasyJet arranges additional flight
A spokesperson for easyJet told the Mirror that customers who have booked with alternative carriers have been advised they will be reimbursed. Accommodation and meals have also been arranged by the airline, while customers who made their own arrangements will be reimbursed.
Ms Dochartaigh's post from yesterday continued: "There are teachers here who can't get home for start of term and business owners who are facing significant disruptions. Our children's grandmother sadly passed away this morning and we will all miss her funeral if we can't get home sooner. The next available flight from Tunisia to Belfast is 1st Sept meaning we'll be stranded for 8 days which is unheard of for a major airline! Our son will also miss his first day of 1st year at secondary school!"
The airline explained today that an additional flight has been scheduled for tonight, with Ms Dochartaigh and her family understood to be booked on this service. The flight is scheduled for 9.40pm local time (9.40pm BST), landing at Belfast at 1.25am.
Other passengers share ordeal
Stuart McCartney and his family were also among the passengers due to fly home on flight EZY3072. On social media yesterday morning, he said: "So what has been a great family holiday has turned into a complete nightmare. What should be a fully energised Monday morning starting back at work for both Natalie, mum and I has instead fast become an energy zapping nightmare."
He added: "We are stranded in Tunisia thanks to easyJet. EasyJet cancelled our flight as we stood queued to board the plane on Saturday evening and our current only way home option being offered by easyJet is on the 1st September (yes, next Tuesday). Communication from easyJet has been horrendous, they have basically said we can get you home next Tuesday or you can seek alternatives yourselves home with conflicting reports on what they will reimburse. Currently, as I write this, Natalie has found a flight with TunisAir out of Tunis to Nice, lay over for 4 hours in Nice then to Belfast on Thursday for £4k."
He said: "Our clothes etc. have already gone through a week in 40-degree heat here in Tunisia. For those on medication they don't have enough to get to next Tuesday. At the end of my tether to say the least."
A spokesperson for easyJet told the Mirror: "We are sorry that flight EZY3072 from Enfidha to Belfast on 22 August experienced a technical issue and was unable to operate. We have been doing everything we can to support our customers, providing hotel accommodation and meals and we will be reimbursing expenses that may have been incurred. As alternative flight options including with other carriers are very limited at this busy time of year, we will be operating an additional direct flight from Enfidha to Belfast this evening and providing onward transfers home where needed."
The spokesperson added: "We are contacting customers directly with information on booking this flight and a dedicated number 03305515147 is also available for customers in Enfidha who require assistance. easyJet holidays customers are also being contacted directly. The welfare of our customers is our highest priority and we are very sorry for the inconvenience caused."
