A flight from Glasgow sat on the tarmac for over an hour as easyJet staff frantically searched for a missing passenger - before they discovered the woman had accidentally boarded a flight to Bristol. The holidaymakers were set to take off for Faro in Portugal at around 2.20pm on Wednesday - but they were left baffled after being told that the passenger, who needed special assistance, had disappeared.
It was later discovered that she had boarded the wrong flight and had arrived in Bristol. Baffled passenger Ryan McCormick explained that he and eight friends were jetting off on their holidays when the incident unfolded.
He told Glasgow Live: "The flight was due to take off at 2.20pm. When we turned up at the terminal we noticed a wee bit of a commotion. One of the assistance staff was looking for somebody and asking all the elderly female passengers their names, so we knew something was up.
"We all boarded and sat waiting to taxi on the runway. The captain came on the tannoy and said there was going to be a delay because a passenger was missing.
"Half an hour later we were told they still hadn't found her and that security couldn't locate her in any of the terminals. We were delayed for another 45 to 50 minutes and there was police coming on and off the aircraft.
"After another delay the pilot told us that the company's hands were tied and the aircraft couldn't leave until they found the passenger, 20 minutes later we were told that she was located in Bristol Airport and there will be further delay to get her baggage off the aircraft to be screened and put back on the plane."
After the missing passenger was found down south, she was put on a plane to her final destination. However, Ryan was left in utter disbelief at how it was possible for the passenger to end up on the wrong flight in the first place.
He added: "How do you manage to lose someone and how did this person get on a separate aircraft without a boarding pass? If she was with a member of staff I assume they had her passport. How is it possible to end up in the wrong country? We were all cramped on the aircraft for two hours waiting to take-off."
An easyJet spokesperson said: " We confirm that a passenger boarded the incorrect aircraft at Glasgow Airport on Wednesday 10 May and travelled to Bristol. As soon as this was realised, it was arranged for them to fly from Bristol to Faro, their original destination. The passenger was looked after by our team throughout and escorted them to the aircraft.
“The safety and well-being of our passengers and crew is always easyJet’s number one priority. We are currently investigating with the airport and our ground handler at Glasgow how the passenger boarded the wrong flight. We would like to sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused.”
Glasgow Airport have also confirmed that the incident occurred, however, they say the responsibility for boarding passengers on flights is that of the airline and its handling agent.
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