Delays cost me spot in vital contest

JULIE’S STORY

A SCOTS bodybuilder slammed Ryanair yesterday after missing a crucial competition because of a flight delay of more than five hours. Julie Thomson, 32, had spent months in intensive training for the Republic of Ireland Ultimate Physiques competition in Dublin on Saturday. But the mum of one and husband Scott ended up heading home from Glasgow Airport on Friday after waiting for hours for her flight to take off. Julie said yesterday that as well as costing her money, the delay would harm her business and hopes of turning professional. She said: “This was a really important competition because it could have allowed me to turn professional had I done well. “I am a body coach and so it was a really big thing for my business. I have ended up over £500 down after turning up at the airport at around 1pm for a flight that was supposed to take off at 3pm. “The flight was just delayed and delayed until there was no point going any more. “I think it was around 10pm when we left the airport and the plane eventually took off at closer to midnight I’m told. “Not only had I paid for our tickets, I had also bought a ticket for my 10-year-old daughter Xanthe to come over to Ireland with her uncle to meet us. “Then there is the money on stage wear, show tan, hair and nails, as well as the cost of entering the competition, which is paid up front.” Julie, from Paisley, added: “The most upsetting thing is all the months of training that are now just down the drain.” A Ryanair spokesman said: “This flight from Glasgow to Dublin on Friday, September 22, was delayed due to a minor technical issue with the inbound aircraft. “Customers were provided with two sets of refreshment vouchers and boarded a replacement aircraft which departed later that day. “Ryanair sincerely apologised to all customers affected by this delay.”