12 hours on plane as easyJet Madeira passengers retun home in storm
12.04.08
Passengers travelling from Bristol Airport to Madeira endured a nightmare journey this week, after their flight was forced to return home because the plane could not land on the storm-lashed Portuguese island.
Over half of the passengers who were hoping for a week in the warm sunshine were back in UK on Thursday after the pilot on their easyJet flight was unable to land the aircraft at Funchal airport. The A319 aircraft made the 1500-mile return journey to Bristol with 59 of the outgoing passengers on board, also stranding those who were due to return from the holiday island on the return flight.
The plane, which left Bristol Airport on Wednesday afternoon, landed on the neighbouring island of Porto Santo, 30 miles away after one failed attempt at landing at Funchal airport. Passengers were given the choice of getting off the plane, but around half declined because they feared they would be unable to reach Madeira by ferry or connecting flight in the bad weather, which featured 30 foot high waves.
easyJet offered the passengers, who were on the plane for more than 12 hours, accommodation at an airport hotel and a transfer onto the next available flight, or a refund if they decided not to travel.
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