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20/08/2008
Excess Baggage Holds Up Passengers
Holidaymakers were given an unusual ultimatum as they prepared to jet off to sunnier climes.
The 151 passengers bound for Crete were given the choice of leaving their luggage behind or follow them out the next day.
Viking Airlines made the unsavoury announcement as passengers were boarding the aircraft at Newcastle Airport on 1 August.
After failing to find 70 volunteers to leave the plane the flight took off without their luggage.
Holidaymaker Sandra Kendall, 53, of Forest Hall, said the announcement caused "chaos".
She said when all the passengers returned to the departure lounge, Newcastle ground staff said 70 people would have to remain or everybody goes with no luggage and it will be sent on with 24 hours.
"They said we had five minutes to decide as the cabin crew were nearly out of flying time," she said.
"We could either all fly without luggage, fly with less fuel and refuel in Verona, or 70 people could stay behind and the rest of us fly with luggage. They decided we could all fly and the luggage would be sent on another flight."
Mrs Kendall and her husband eventually boarded the plane after a delay of three hours.
They said their two-week break was "spoiled" as they did not receive all their bags until four days into the holiday.
A spokeswoman for Newcastle Airport said "various factors", including climatic conditions, could "affect the payload that an aircraft can handle on any particular day".
She added that airport staff "sympathised wholeheartedly" with passenger's frustrations.
A spokesman for Viking Airlines declined to comment.
(DS)
The 151 passengers bound for Crete were given the choice of leaving their luggage behind or follow them out the next day.
Viking Airlines made the unsavoury announcement as passengers were boarding the aircraft at Newcastle Airport on 1 August.
After failing to find 70 volunteers to leave the plane the flight took off without their luggage.
Holidaymaker Sandra Kendall, 53, of Forest Hall, said the announcement caused "chaos".
She said when all the passengers returned to the departure lounge, Newcastle ground staff said 70 people would have to remain or everybody goes with no luggage and it will be sent on with 24 hours.
"They said we had five minutes to decide as the cabin crew were nearly out of flying time," she said.
"We could either all fly without luggage, fly with less fuel and refuel in Verona, or 70 people could stay behind and the rest of us fly with luggage. They decided we could all fly and the luggage would be sent on another flight."
Mrs Kendall and her husband eventually boarded the plane after a delay of three hours.
They said their two-week break was "spoiled" as they did not receive all their bags until four days into the holiday.
A spokeswoman for Newcastle Airport said "various factors", including climatic conditions, could "affect the payload that an aircraft can handle on any particular day".
She added that airport staff "sympathised wholeheartedly" with passenger's frustrations.
A spokesman for Viking Airlines declined to comment.
(DS)
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