Aer Lingus apologises after two Leinster fans stranded in Dublin

Airline says complications following an aircraft change meant four fans left behind

Passengers wait to board the Aer Lingus flight to Bilbao at Dublin airport this morning. Photograph: Pat Farrell/Twitter
Passengers wait to board the Aer Lingus flight to Bilbao at Dublin airport this morning. Photograph: Pat Farrell/Twitter

Aer Lingus has apologised after two Leinster fans were unable to be accommodated on a charter flight to Bilbao for this afternoon’s Leinster - Racing 92 Champions Cup final.

In a statement the airline disruption at Dublin airport on Friday night meant “the seat capacity of one of our Bilbao flights was slightly lower than required”.

Aer Lingus said it was unable to accommodate two passengers among the 2,700 people it was taking to Bilbao on Saturday.

“It is unacceptable to Aer Lingus that even two guests were affected and we sincerely apologise for the disappointment caused.”

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Aer Lingus flight EI2750 to Bilbao in Spain took off over two hours late following the issue and four passengers could not be accommodated on this flight.

It is understood two of the affected passengers were accommodated on a later flight and two others have opted not to travel.

It is unclear if the two passengers put on a later flight made it to Bilbao in time for the game which started at 4.45pm Irish time.

This morning’s flight was put on especially for fans travelling to the final.

Niamh Towey

Niamh Towey

Niamh Towey is an Irish Times journalist