Dad ‘feels like crying’ after his birthday celebrations ‘ruined’

A dad’s 50th birthday holiday was “ruined” after he the family were left with no luggage which contained important medication.

David Barnes travelled to Menorca from Manchester Airport with his wife Debbie Barnes and their son Riley but claims he has faced nothing but challenges since arriving at the airport on Sunday, 23 June. All flights from Terminal 1 and 2 were cancelled or delayed after a power cut hit the airport.

The soon-to-be 50-year-old arrived at the airport where his flight was delayed but after boarding the plane with his wife and son, was told some luggage had been put onboard but not all of it. Despite the pilot’s alleged announcement, when the passengers got off the plane after landing in Spain, they found that just prams and buggies had made it on.

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TUI claims passengers were informed they could decide not to get on the plane, if they wished. However, David, from Kirkby, claims he was unaware there was a choice of staying in Manchester.

The dad, from Kirkby, said: “They have sent us on our holidays with 97 other people on the plane and no luggage.

“On the plane the pilot has told us that there’s some luggage on the plane but when we’ve rang they’ve told us our luggage is still in Manchester. We had no option to get off the plane.

“My son is autistic and he’s been having a meltdown. The TUI staff don’t know anything over here. My son can’t wear certain fabrics or textures, he hates it.

“This is my 50th birthday holiday and it’s been ruined. The experience at Manchester Airport was horrendous and now we don’t have our luggage or medication that my son needs.”

“I’m devastated. I feel like crying my eyes out but I have to stay strong. It’s ruined my whole experience of going away. No-one knows what’s going on, the TUI reps are clueless.”

TUI confirmed to the ECHO that David and his family would receive £150 per person in compensation due to the confusion surrounding the amount of money he would be due following the disruption to his baggage. The airline did not comment further on claims passengers were not given the chance to stay in Manchester Airport, blaming Manchester Airport for its “inoperable baggage system”.

A TUI spokesperson told the ECHO: “We would like to apologise to our customers impacted by the disruption caused by the power outage at Manchester airport on Sunday 23rd June. We understand how disappointing it is for customers when a delay of this nature takes place and it’s not the way we wanted their holiday to start.

“Unfortunately, some customers had to travel on holiday without their bags due to the inoperable baggage system at Manchester Airport. We would like to reassure customers that the vast majority of bags have now arrived at their intended destinations, and we will reunite customers with their luggage within the next 24 hours. We appreciate our customers’ patience at this time

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