Holiday flight from Turkey to Belfast delayed by over 24 hours amidst ongoing disruption

Northern Irish passengers trying to get home from Dalaman say they have received very little information after their flight home was delayed by over 24 hours.

Their TUI flight was supposed to leave Dalaman on Monday afternoon but their plane is now not expected to take off until Tuesday afternoon.

"The sheer lack of information was totally unacceptable," Ciara McFerran, who is on holiday in Turkey, told UTV.

"My partner received a text of apology this morning but no onward information.

"Three people we've talked to have no medication, my partner is on heart meds, and a family have no nappy for their kids, with no offer of help.. it's just not acceptable"

Passengers leaving Belfast for Dalaman were also delayed by over 24 hours, having been scheduled to depart on Monday morning.

One holidaymaker told UTV they went back to Belfast International for 3.45am on Tuesday morning, only to be told a short time later that they would not be departing until 9am.

They were also told by TUI that for 'operational reasons' their flight would be operating via Charleroi in Belgium where there would be an "operational crew change."

The flight is not expected to land in Dalaman until 4.30pm - almost 27 hours later than originally planned.

One traveller told UTV how she felt it was "so unfair to lose 2 days of our holiday."

TUI has been contacted for comment. On Monday it apologised for delays blaming operational issues. It said it would be in touch with customers to update them on changes and advised people of how to submit compensation claims.

The latest disruption comes after travellers said they experienced 'chaos' when TUI and EasyJet flights to the likes of Gatwick, Bristol, Liverpool Malaga, Kos and Faro were all disrupted.

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