Holidaymakers delayed for three hours in Aberdeen as BA crew 'catch up on sleep'

Updated
Holidaymakers delayed for three hours in Aberdeen as BA crew 'catch up on sleep'
Holidaymakers delayed for three hours in Aberdeen as BA crew 'catch up on sleep'

Passengers waiting to board a plane to Barcelona were delayed for three hours at Aberdeen airport - as British Airways crew members caught up on sleep.

The holidaymakers were told that cabin crew had been kept awake by a wedding party, and that the scheduled flight time of 6.30am on Sunday morning would be moved to 9.50am.

According to the local.es, passengers took to Twitter to vent their frustration, with one, called Andrew Wyness, writing: "Sitting in Aberdeen when I should be flying to Barcelona due to a resting crew. #sloppylogistics #couldbeavoided."

Another passenger wrote: "We were told by a member of British Airways staff that the crew had been disturbed by a noisy wedding party below the accommodation at their hotel.

"BA haven't offered us any compensation, but I'll certainly be looking into it."

A BA spokesman told the Daily Telegraph: "Our crew and cabin crew are required by law to have certain rest periods between operating flights and if that is disrupted then we have to make appropriate measures.

"If you don't have a replacement crew then you gave to take other relevant measures to deal with that situation.

"We apologise to our customers for the delay, but the flight had to be delayed for operational reasons.

"These decisions are based on safety and security which are two principles we will never compromise."

The news comes just days after British Airways passengers in Venice were forced to sleep on the floor at Marco Polo Airport overnight because cabin crew had worked their maximum hours and the airline could not find them hotel rooms in the Italian city.

Metro reports that about 140 passengers went without food or drink at the airport as their Gatwick-bound flight left with only two pilots on board.

BA apologised and said passengers would be compensated.

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