Passengers on an Aer Lingus flight were left 'traumatised' after it shockingly almost ran out of fuel.
Flight EI779 departed from Lanzarote and was on its way to Dublin Airport on Wednesday night.
However, it was forced to divert to Shannon Airport amid the chaos.
Travellers on the flight were left traumatised, and have now revealed the mayhem that ensued on the flight.
They disclosed how alarming announcements were made on the approach to Shannon, and were informed what to do if an evacuation was needed.
One passenger worryingly said: “Was very scary. Most thought plane had serious issue at that stage as wasn’t clear what was going on.”
Another added: “Don’t forget the announcement on approach to Shannon about what to do if an evacuation is needed.
"The plane was very low on fuel.”
A third petrified tourists added: “More utter chaos from Aer Lingus. Flight delayed, takes off 2hrs late, gets as far as Bray, but there’s no runway (at Dublin) big enough free to take the plane.
"They don’t have enough fuel to circle so have to divert to Shannon….all at 2am.
"They have to wait to refuel and take off for Dublin again and hope the runway is free this time.
"It was still an unwelcome worry for those involved and for family waiting, unaware of what was going on.”
It has been claimed that the diversion was actually caused due to a blunder in its pilots failing to realise the main runway at Dublin was closed for maintenance works late on Wednesday night.
The main runway closure at Dublin airport was flagged by a NOTAM (Notification To Airmen), and pilots are meant to read this before the flight.
But instead, low on fuel, the plane had to divert to Shannon because there was no runaway big enough at Dublin free to take the aircraft.
Families were left reeling at the experience after the rerouted flight landed back in Dublin in the early hours of the morning.
When asked to comment last night, Aer Lingus told the Irish Sun: “Due to crew illness and operational challenges, we have leased an aircraft from Privilege Style to operate on our behalf and minimise disruption to our customers’ travel plans.
"The Privilege Style aircraft and company meet all safety requirements set by both Aer Lingus and the Irish Aviation Authority.
“Aer Lingus flight EI779, which was operated by Privilege Style on behalf of Aer Lingus, from Lanzarote to Dublin yesterday evening, was diverted to Shannon for operational reasons but then continued to Dublin, arriving less than two hours behind schedule.
"We apologise to those customers impacted for the delay.”
