Holidaymaker who lost luggage finds it 1,300 miles away
Holidaymaker who lost luggage after TUI flight to Menorca spots family’s missing belongings in photo of dumped suitcases 1,300 miles away in Manchester Airport
- Laura Simpson, 35, took a TUI flight to Menorca with eight of her family
- When Ms Simpson arrived, her family’s luggage was nowhere to be seen
- Two days in to the trip, she spotted the suitcases in a video on social media
A holidaymaker who lost her luggage on a flight to Spain finally found her family’s missing belongings 1,300 miles away in Manchester.
Laura Simpson, 35, took a TUI flight to Menorca during the travel chaos that has seen thousands of Britons left stranded after last minute cancellations.
But when Ms Simpson, from Warrington, Cheshire, arrived at the Spanish island, her family’s luggage — including a vital asthma inhaler — was nowhere to be seen.
Her original direct flight from Manchester Airport to Menorca on May 27 was diverted via Ibiza, and the seven suitcases did not turn up at their intended destination.
The nine family members were left without clothes, toiletries or medication for the entire six-day holiday — which was rearranged for three times because of Covid.
Two days in to the trip, she spotted the suitcases in a video on social media — but they were back at Manchester Airport.
Laura Simpson, 35, from Warrington, Cheshire, who lost her luggage on a flight to Spain finally found her family’s missing belongings 1,300 miles away in Manchester
Ms Simpson told the Manchester Evening News: ‘The flight took off about an hour-and-a-half late. When we got to Ibiza everyone got off and the 25 of us going to Menorca remained onboard.
‘Passengers started getting on who were going back to Manchester, who were then told we’d be diverting via Menorca
‘It was all over the place. By this point we’d already waited for two hours on a hot plane. We finally got to Menorca and waited an hour for our luggage and then someone came out and said it hadn’t arrived at the airport.’
Before spotting the bags in the video, she had tried calling TUI everyday but was not given any updates on the bags’ location.
Two days in to the trip, she spotted the suitcases in a video on social media (pictured) — but they were back at Manchester Airport
She said the company gave her €25 (£21) a day to get by without her belongings but could not
After she spotted the bags in the video, she informed the company — but has still heard ‘nothing from them’, she claims.
A TUI spokesperson said: ‘We’re aware that some customers have been impacted by baggage delays at Manchester Airport and we’d like to thank customers for their patience and understanding at this exceptionally busy time.
“We’re working closely with airport staff, baggage handlers and our teams in resort to ensure customers receive their luggage as soon as possible.
‘We’ll be in direct contact with customers once we have more information to share.’
Ms Simpson’s travel pains come amid a storm of travel chaos affecting British holidaymakers across the country.
Britons returning from their holidays have complained of ‘three hour delays’ at baggage reclaim across UK airports and ‘abandoned’ luggage ‘left in stacks’ at Heathrow this morning.
Travellers have also said ‘their luggage has been diverted to another airport’, while others have reported their baggage missing altogether.
TUI customers have been left furious by ‘awful service’ after their flights landed at 3am this morning at Manchester Airport, forcing families to put their children to sleep on the floor as the crisis continues to cause disruption.
The reason for the ongoing chaos has been due to a aviation staffing crisis, which is seeing passengers advised to arrive much earlier than normal for their flights because they are facing long queues.
While many businesses in the aviation sector are struggling to rehire staff after many were let go during the pandemic, high levels of staff sickness for those who are still employed is also having an impact.
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Manchester Airport: UP TO THREE HOUR DELAYS
Holidaymakers can expect delays today, with travellers reporting painfully-long queues at check-in and the security desks.
Passengers have also reported ‘abandoned luggage’ left in ‘stacks’ at baggage reclaim, as Brits report delays of around three hours this morning.
Tui tweeted earlier today: ‘Manchester airport has suspended their day before bag drop for the next week. We recommend arriving at the airport 3 hours before the flight time for short haul destinations and 4 hours before for long haul as this is when the check in/ bag drop desks open’.
Bristol Airport: UP TO THREE HOUR DELAYS
Passengers have reported delays of up to two hours in arrivals and departures this morning.
Tui passenger Craig Jones tweeted: ‘At Bristol Airport awaiting a delayed CUN flight – was told we could have vouchers. Many people been waiting by assistance desk. No show from TUI rep. Very poor show!’
Birmingham Airport: UP TO TWO HOUR DELAYS
Queues were pictured across the airport at the check-in desk and security.
Passenger Jason Stratford tweeted: ‘Birmingham airport is a complete joke. Passengers this morning stuck on plane at 4am because there’s no steps – and staff don’t start till 5. Over an hour wait for luggage.’
Heathrow Airport: UP TO TWO HOUR DELAYS
Terminal 2 at Heathrow is experiencing long queues at their check-in desk this morning.
The airport tweeted this morning: ‘Queue times across the airport have risen. We do not have information of how much longer the queues may be at one given time. To save time please make sure you’re following airline guidance for the quickest check in experience.’
Gatwick Airport: UP TO ONE HOUR DELAY
Passengers have reported delays of at least an hour for departures, whilst passengers arriving have said there are ‘exceptionally long queues’ at baggage reclaim.
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