Belfast flight arrives in Egypt 'without any luggage'

4 weeks ago 11
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Robyn Allison  A man and woman wearing sunglasses. They're standing in a pool area.Robyn Allison

Ms Allison and her boyfriend had to go to the mall to buy clothes

Two Northern Ireland women, who have flown to Egypt for a holiday, have said the plane arrived without any luggage for all the passengers.

Robyn Allison said the flight was delayed leaving Belfast International Airport on Wednesday afternoon and passengers were told it was “due to baggage issues”, but she thought it had been resolved.

The Lisburn woman said, after arriving in Hurghada later that night, passengers were waiting for an hour and a half before being told all the bags were “lost”.

BBC News NI understands that there was a technical issue with the aircraft hold and that arrangements are being made to get the luggage onto Hurghada as a priority.

The BBC has contacted EasyJet, Belfast International Airport and Swissport for comment.

'Really disheartening'

Robyn Allison A man with short hair wearing a white top. A woman with dark hair tied up. She's wearing glasses and a green top and holding her mobile phone up.Robyn Allison

Ms Allison has Type One diabetes and was carrying her spare medication in her check-in suitcase

“I burst into tears,” Robyn Allison said.

Ms Allison, who is on her first holiday with her boyfriend, only has one rucksack with her with shoes, but no clothes whatsoever.

“It’s absolutely shocking”, she said.

Ms Allison said she had to buy clothes on Thursday.

“It’s really disheartening. We thought we were going to have a lovely holiday,” she added.

Ms Allison has Type One diabetes and was carrying her spare medication in her suitcase.

'It's a disgrace'

Robyn Allison A pool with umbrellas and lounge chairs. Robyn Allison

Ms Allison says she doesn't know when she'll receive her luggage

“My mom rang Swissport last night and they said the bags were in Liverpool, but [other passengers] have been told they’re still in Belfast,” she said.

She said EasyJet has not been in contact with her and she does not know if she’ll receive her bags.

“I don’t know what’s going on. We’ve been left in the dark.”

Ms Allison said she saved up “quite a lot of money” for the holiday, but hasn’t received any “customer service whatsoever.”

“It’s a disgrace”.

'It's horrendous'

Cherylee Van Es A woman with shoulder length curly, brown hair. She's wearing a black top.Cherylee Van Es

Ms Van Es says her medication is in her suitcase

Cherylee Van Es, who was on the same flight, said “everything seemed normal”, until passengers were waiting at the carousel in the airport in Egypt and everyone started to wonder what was wrong.

Staff at the airport, “didn’t know what the problem was” and "told us to ask our home airport," she said.

There were “young babies” on the flight who are now without nappies and formula, says Ms Van Es.

The Larne woman said passengers with health issues have been affected.

'My medication is in my suitcase'

Getty Images A plane in the air and a plane on tarmac at an airport.Getty Images

The flight arrived at Hurghada airport on Wednesday

“I need medication,” she said, "but it’s in “my suitcase”.

“It’s horrendous.

“We’re talking about a whole flight of luggage,” she added.

Ms Van Es said she has found it difficult to get in touch with EasyJet.

Cherylee Van Es A pool area showing a blue sky and seatsCherylee Van Es

Ms Van Es is staying at the Aqua Vista resort, but hasn't got any sunscreen

She said there’s been “no communication” from the airline.

After calling EasyJet when she arrived at the hotel, she was told she had to report that her luggage was lost on the app.

“It’s 40 degrees here… I’ve no sunscreen, no clothes, nothing.”

Ms Van Es only has what she carried in her hand luggage.

Cherylee Van Es A pool area showing a blue sky and seatsCherylee Van Es

Ms Van Es only has what she carried in her hand luggage

“I have a book, a tablet, earphones, and paracetamol.”

“I can’t sit in the sun” without sunscreen.

Easyjet haven’t “texted or emailed” to say they’re trying to get the luggage to us.

They “can’t be just so unresponsive.”

“It’s unbelievable,” she said.

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