Belfast flight arrives in Egypt without dozens of bags
Robyn Allison Two Northern Ireland women, who have flown to Egypt for a holiday, have said the plane arrived without luggage for many passengers.
Robyn Allison said the EasyJet flight was delayed leaving Belfast International Airport on Wednesday afternoon and passengers were told it was “due to baggage issues”, but she thought it had been resolved.
The Lisburn woman said, after arriving in Hurghada later that night, passengers were waiting for an hour and a half before being told the bags were “lost”.
BBC News NI understands that there was a technical issue with the aircraft hold and that arrangements are being made to get the luggage onto Hurghada as a priority.
Airline apologises
On Thursday afternoon, Easyjet said it had contacted all passengers affected to update them on the progress of their bags, which were put on the next available flight.
In a statement, it added: “We are sorry that flight EZY3077 on 4 September departed from Belfast to Hurghada without a small number of bags on board, which we are looking into with our ground handling provider at the airport to understand why this happened.
“We understand how important it is for passengers have their essential medicines with them and so we advise passengers ahead of travel to carry medicine in their cabin bag.
“We have contacted these passengers to apologise for the inconvenience and to update them on the arrival of their bags in Hurghada this evening.”
The BBC has also contacted Belfast International Airport and Swissport for comment.
'Really disheartening'
Robyn Allison“I burst into tears,” Robyn Allison said.
Ms Allison, who is on her first holiday with her boyfriend, only has one rucksack with her with shoes, but no clothes whatsoever.
“It’s absolutely shocking”, she said.
Ms Allison said she had to buy clothes on Thursday.
“It’s really disheartening. We thought we were going to have a lovely holiday,” she added.
Ms Allison has Type One diabetes and was carrying her spare medication in her suitcase.
'It's a disgrace'
Robyn Allison“My mom rang Swissport last night and they said the bags were in Liverpool, but [other passengers] have been told they’re still in Belfast,” she said.
She said EasyJet has not been in contact with her and she does not know if she’ll receive her bags.
“I don’t know what’s going on. We’ve been left in the dark.”
Ms Allison said she saved up “quite a lot of money” for the holiday, but hasn’t received any “customer service whatsoever.”
“It’s a disgrace”.
'It's horrendous'
Cherylee Van EsCherylee Van Es, who was on the same flight, said “everything seemed normal”, until passengers were waiting at the carousel in the airport in Egypt and everyone started to wonder what was wrong.
Staff at the airport, “didn’t know what the problem was” and "told us to ask our home airport," she said.
There were “young babies” on the flight who are now without nappies and formula, says Ms Van Es.
The Larne woman said passengers with health issues have been affected.
'My medication is in my suitcase'
Getty Images“I need medication,” she said, "but it’s in “my suitcase”.
“It’s horrendous.
Ms Van Es said she has found it difficult to get in touch with EasyJet, and said there’s been “no communication” from the airline.
Cherylee Van EsAfter calling EasyJet when she arrived at the hotel, she was told she had to report that her luggage was lost on the app.
“It’s 40 degrees here… I’ve no sunscreen, no clothes, nothing.”
Ms Van Es only has what she carried in her hand luggage.
Cherylee Van Es“I have a book, a tablet, earphones, and paracetamol," she told BBC News NI, adding she cannot sit in the sun without sunscreen.
She also said EasyJet had not texted or emailed to explain how it is getting luggage to them in Egypt.
They “can’t be just so unresponsive," she explained. “It’s unbelievable."