Irish holidaymakers were stranded in Pisa, Italy, for almost 12 hours on Saturday after the aircraft on which they were due to travel to Dublin developed mechanical problems.
The Nordic Airlink flight was delayed while the Swedish airline flew in a spare part. When it arrived it was not suitable and a second substitute was organised.
However, when the second spare part arrived, it was also deemed unsuitable and an alternative aircraft was organised. The charter flight was originally due to leave Pisa on Saturday morning at 11.35 a.m. Because of the delays it did not take to the air until after 11 p.m.
One passenger told The Irish Times he was delayed by five hours when he flew out to Pisa. "We only went for a week and between going and coming back we were held up by around 17 hours."
He had booked his flights through Abbey Travel in Dublin. He said the agent had staff on the ground in Pisa "who were very helpful". "We could have gone with an airline like Ryanair which would have been much cheaper, but we decided to go with a charter for convenience because it was flying directly to Pisa."
He said he wanted a refund and also wanted to be reimbursed a €200 taxi fare from Piensa, where he had been on holiday, back to Pisa to catch the flight home.
Because the flight was leaving so early, he had to catch a taxi. However, the delay meant he could have waited for the tour operator's later transport and still he would had five hours to spare, he said.
"Abbey Travel's reps were keeping us up to speed with what was happening, but they were only being informed hourly by the airline."
Abbey Travel was not contactable yesterday. Nordic Airlink's office in Sweden was not manned. Its flights are handled by Serviceair in Dublin Airport. Staff at Serviceair's Dublin desk were not contactable yesterday.
