TUI threw me off plane- I lost two days of my holiday when staff forgot about me

A PENSIONER turfed from a plane because it was “too hot” to take off claims TUI bosses forgot to book him a seat on the rescheduled flight.

Bill Innes, 70, said he missed out on the first two days of his £1,800 TUI break in Tenerife while alternative arrangements were made for fellow holidaymakers.

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He told how others were bussed to Glasgow to fly out the next day amid the departure chaos in Aberdeen.

But Bill added: “I never heard a word from TUI. They forgot all about me.

“I’ve lost count of the hours I spent on the phone to them trying to find out what was happening.

“All the other passengers were on their way to Tenerife and I was still waiting for an email to tell me when I was flying. It’s just not on.”

Bill had booked a week’s all-inclusive break to relax after years of looking after his wife, who has dementia.

The grandad was on the plane on Sunday afternoon when the captain ordered everyone off, blaming the high temperature — which was 22°C (72F).

Travellers claimed the weight of the plane and the short runway at Aberdeen Airport were also mentioned as issues by staff.

Bill booked his trip through Barrhead Travel and frantically tried to get them and TUI to help.

He was stunned when he read our story on Tuesday and discovered everyone else had been emailed and taken to Glasgow.

And he offered to drive himself but feared his car would be stuck if the return flight was to Aberdeen.

He said: “This was supposed to be a relaxing, fun holiday but all the enjoyment and excitement has been sucked out of it. I wouldn’t recommend this to anyone.”

Bill was eventually booked on to a Glasgow flight on Tuesday and TUI arranged to get him to the airport.

He said: “I’ve lost two days of my holiday. I’m going to make the most of the time I do have in Tenerife.

“But when I get home I’ll be fighting for as much compensation as I can get. I’ll be pushing all the way. I would never book with TUI again.”

TUI said: “We fully understand Mr Innes’ frustration following his experience. When a customer has booked through a third party, such as a travel agent, in order to receive flight updates directly from us, travel agents must have passed on the customer’s contact details before the flight.

“If we’re not given this, like in Mr Innes’ case, the information will be sent to the travel agent so they can pass it on to the customer.

“We’ll investigate why the information didn’t reach Mr Innes to prevent this from happening again.

“Our teams are currently processing his refund for the two nights of his holiday he’s missed.”

Barrhead Travel said they helped Mr Innes get on the next possible flight and arranged for a taxi to pick him up at his home in Aberdeen to take him to Glasgow Airport.

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