Passenger says contact with holiday company has been appalling

A passenger on yesterday's severely delayed flight to Madeira claims contact between the holiday company and passengers has been "appalling"

The charter flight for Atlantic Holidays was stranded on the tarmac at Ronaldsways for several hours yesterday, after a change in the wind direction meant it was carrying too much fuel. This couldn't be unloaded as there wasn't capacity to store it.

30 passengers eventually had to give up their seats and agree to fly out today on a non-direct flight via Manchester, Heathrow and Opporto, although it's been claimed some decided to cancel their holiday altogether.

The passenger who has contacted Manx Radio says passengers were only offered a sandwich and a drink despite spending a total of nine hours on the plane.

He says they had been told they would land at Lisbon for a crew change before flying on to Madeira last night, but in fact they were put in to a hotel overnight and are now being bussed back to the airport for a flight to Funchal this afternoon.

It's also understood 25 suitcases had to be unloaded on the Isle of Man in order for the flight to get away.