Ryanair 'abandons passengers' on wrong Canary Island after landing in thunderstorm

Budget airline passengers have learned to put up with a lot over the years. But you wouldn't have thought it too much to ask for travellers to be dropped at the correct destination. More than 100 tourists on a Ryanair flight to Lanzarote were stunned when they were abandoned on the wrong Canary Island. The flight from Bournemouth was forced to divert due to stormy weather and land on the neighbouring island of Fuerteventura. The passengers say they were then left to make their own onward travel arrangements to catch ferries and boats to Lanzarote. To make matters worse, they say that when the weather cleared the plane flew from Fuerteventura to Lanzarote before taking on passengers and returning to the UK. One family was left £400 out of pocket after they had to pay for hotel accommodation on Wednesday night and a 30-minute ferry crossing the next day. Kay Wright, 40, was with her sons Jack, six, and George, five, stepdaughter Tabatha, 23, and her three-year-old daughter Kacey. She had to phone partner Tony Wainwright at home in Bournemouth for help. Mrs Wright said: 'The plane was packed full of families going away for half term. They made an announcement on the plane saying "you will have to find your own way overland" due to the weather. 'After we landed in Lanzarote, we didn't see a single Ryanair representative. There were no leaflets and no information about what we should do next.' Tony, a 48-year-old security consultant, said: 'I got a phone call at about 6pm to say they had landed but were on the wrong island.

'After disembarking they had gone into the terminal but there were no Ryanair representatives to tell them what to do next.

'It was left to me and a very helpful Spanish lady to sort out a taxi, arrange alternative accommodation for the night and book ferry crossings to Lanzarote in the morning.

'I don't blame Ryanair for the bad weather but to abandon a family, on the wrong island, is unforgivable.

'It has cost us another £400. 'I know Ryanair is a budget airline but surely they have some duty of care to their passengers.'

The family had flown from Bournemouth Airport to Lanzarote on Wednesday and were left stranded along with dozens of other passengers. The weary family finally arrived at Playa Blanca yesterday following an eight mile ferry trip in choppy seas to Lanzarote. Tony said: 'There has been no contact from Ryanair whatsoever. 'No information was posted on their website to say the flight had been diverted. 'When I rang I was told to write and I would receive a reply within 14 days. 'The flights were cheap, they cost about £250, but there's no way we would use Ryanair again.'

A Ryanair spokesman said: 'Ryanair flight FR 4755, Bristol to Lanzarote, diverted to Fuerteventura due to bad weather in Lanzarote. 'Unfortunately ferries were also affected by these high winds so passengers were provided with EU261 information which outlines their entitlement to provide receipted hotel expenses to Ryanair, for refund. 'Ryanair arranged that the ferry company would carry affected Ryanair passengers to Lanzarote free of charge when ferries recommenced the following morning. 'Ryanair apologises to passengers for any inconvenience caused by this weather related diversion but can never put passenger convenience before passenger safety.'

The guidelines state that if flight disruption is outside the control of the airline, no monetary compensation is due. (my view)-This is cold hearted of them,after the weather had carmed they could say"everyone back on board"and take them to their RIGHT destination buy NO,they do not give a shit about the people!-The airline should be shut down!!