Budget airline easyJet has apologised to passengers who spent more than a day waiting to fly home to Edinburgh from Tenerife after their flight was cancelled.
The carrier said it was forced to delay the flight because of a "technical issue" – and to give its crews a break after they exceeded safe working time limits because of previous delays. However, the move left Scottish passengers either sleeping in the airport or having to fork out for accommodation and food on Monday June 12.
One couple who spoke to Edinburgh Live about the delay said the airline had been "hopeless" at keeping passengers informed. The pair, both 57, said they had splashed on taxis to a hotel booked by the airline after learning they would be waiting an extra day to go home.
Their frustration only grew as it emerged the hotel was very far from the terminal. And the flight was delayed a further six hours the next day.
One half of the couple said: "We had to pay for taxis, which were £140 each way to the hotel. Some couldn't afford it and slept in the airport.
"The flight was scheduled for 11.20am the next day but we were delayed again until 5.20pm. easyJet helpline is hopeless, couldn't give us any information and the airline is saying it's exceptional circumstances.
"I've already lost a day's work. I just feel shattered after a lovely relaxing holiday.
"I think easyJet's communication skills are awful and they can't expect people to have money for expensive taxis and food. Everyone is exhausted and anxious because they don't seem to know what's happening."
easyJet maintains that it handed out vouchers for hotel accommodation and food as soon as it became clear the flight would be delayed. But some travellers say the hotels were impractical, and miles from the airport.
The couple added: "I've just had to buy a young student some food. There's some young girls stranded to get home, they're exhausted.
"They sent us to hotels all over the island but we had to pay the taxis. Ours was £140 each way and some were £200. Others couldn't afford it and slept in the airport."
In a statement, easyJet said: "We are sorry that flight EZY3202 from Tenerife to Edinburgh on June 12 was delayed overnight due to the aircraft experiencing a technical issue on a previous flight and air traffic control restrictions delaying the flight inbound to Tenerife, which led to the crew reaching their safety regulated operating hours.
"We did all possible to minimise the impact of the disruption for our customers, providing hotel accommodation and refreshment vouchers ahead of the flight departing yesterday afternoon. We also look to source transfers where available and advise any customers who book their own that they will be reimbursed.
"The safety of our passengers and crew is our highest priority and we would like to apologise to customers for the inconvenience this will have caused."
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