Travel company TUI has apologised after passengers arrived in Florida - only to find their luggage was more than 4,000 miles away in Newcastle. When holidaymakers got to Melbourne Orlando International Airport yesterday (May 9), they learned their suitcases had not been loaded on to the plane at Newcastle International Airport.
Some passengers complained they were left without medication, clothes, pushchairs, nappies and baby formula as a result of the error. One passenger said they arrived in Florida excited about their holiday - then they heard a loudspeaker announcement informing people that the "majority" of the luggage had not been loaded on to the plane.
She claimed the flight had been delayed at Newcastle due to "putting on the cases", which added to her frustration, reports Chronicle Live. Another passenger said he was still waiting for a explanation this morning (April 10) about how the error occurred - and described the situation as "absolutely shocking".
TUI has now apologised for the error. The firm confirmed it was working with the airport and its handling agent to resolve the situation as quickly as possible.
A TUI spokesperson said: "We'd like to apologise to customers whose baggage has been delayed on flight TOM858 from Newcastle to Florida. We are working with the airport and our handling agent to resolve this as quickly as possible, but we understand how frustrating this is and we are sorry for any inconvenience caused."
