Airport misery as families wait for Lapland flight

FAMILIES taking a dream Christmas trip to Lapland endured a seven hour ordeal at Bristol Airport because their flight was delayed.

The TUI flight to Kittilla in Lapland was due to take off at 6.20am yesterday but parents were left angry as its departure was repeatedly postponed until 12.55pm.

People were finally allowed to board close to seven hours after they should have taken off, with exhausted children making up much of the flight’s passengers.

Families who had arrived at the airport from as early as 3.30am were left struggling with tired kids.

A 38-year-old mum from Llantrisant, near Cardiff, endured more than nine hours at the airport with her two children, aged eight and 10. She said she had paid more than £3,500 for the three-night trip.

She said: “As a result of the delay we have missed a day of our holiday.

“Many people on the flight had excursions booked that they have now missed - we will only have two full days there now.

“It has been so frustrating, with happy and excited children who are now tired and miserable after being in an airport since 3.30am.”

Other passengers voiced their frustrations online saying the delays were a ‘recipe for disaster’ leading to ‘many disappointed children’.

Delays were reportedly due to a plane part having to be transported from Gatwick, although this has not been confirmed by the airline.

TUI has been approached for comment.