Ryanair passengers traveling from Krakow Airport to Liverpool endured a 15-hour delay after a technical issue grounded their flight. Flight FR6359 was scheduled to depart at 8.55am on Monday but did not take off until 12.40am on Tuesday, August 4. The two-hour flight finally landed in Liverpool at 2am.
Around 150 people were left waiting at the departure gate as the delay stretched into the night. Text updates from the airline stated that the delay was due to "a minor technical issue with the aircraft", requiring a replacement aircraft.
A message sent by Ryanair to passengers stated: "Since your flight has been delayed, please enjoy a snack or beverage on us by presenting your boarding pass to the cashier at participating outlets. We have issued one 17.00 PLN (£3.38) voucher per boarding pass in your booking. Please note refreshment vouchers cannot be redeemed onboard the aircraft."
Passenger accounts at Krakow Airport
Marcin Tkaczyk, 47, from Lancaster, was one of the affected passengers and spoke to the Liverpool Echo while waiting at the gate. "We're waiting next to the gate," Tkaczyk said. "We could leave, but then we'd have to go through the whole procedure again, and there is nothing around the airport so there's really no point. People are upset. There's no one in person here to explain things to us. We were supposed to arrive in Liverpool at 10.40am. Now we don't know."
Tkaczyk added that a coffee at the airport cost 21 PLN (£4.17), meaning the compensation voucher did not even cover the price of a single drink.
"There's no one here we can talk to. We're just waiting and waiting," Tkaczyk said. "I'm guessing there's about 150 of us, almost a full plane. Fortunately we haven't got children with us, but there are a few kids here managing with phones, smartphones and Nintendos."
Ryanair statement on the delay
A statement from Ryanair said: "This flight from Krakow to Liverpool (3 Aug) was delayed due to a technical issue with the aircraft. Passengers were notified and kept up-to-date via email, PUSH notifications and ground staff."
The airline added: "Passengers were offered to receive a full refund, to change flight free of charge, or to wait for this flight, which departed Krakow at 00.32am local time. Passenger who chose to wait for this flight received 5 sets of vouchers (85 PLN total)."
