Flybe passengers are forced onto six-hour coach journey when first plane on new flagship service to Heathrow breaks down
- The first Flybe flight from Newquay to Heathrow broke down on Sunday
- Some passengers had to miss a day of work and others had to fork out for extra accommodation
- Enraged travellers took to Twitter to vent their frustrations with the airline
- Flybe have issued an apology and blamed the breakdown on a ‘technical fault’
Flybe passengers on a new ‘flagship’ route were forced to take a six-hour coach journey after their aeroplane broke down.
The 6.40pm service from Newquay to Heathrow could not take-off on Sunday because of a ‘technical issue’ which saw some passengers miss a day of work and forced others to spend money on extra accommodation.
Cornwall Airport Newquay said passengers were offered ‘rebooking for another flight or ground transport to London Heathrow’.
Flybe passengers on a new ‘flagship’ route were forced to take a six-hour coach journey after their aeroplane broke down
The 6.40pm service from Newquay to Heathrow could not take-off on Sunday because of a ‘technical issue’ which saw some passengers miss a day of work and forced others to spend more money on extra accommodation
One passenger said ‘words fail me’ with another calling it a ‘a PR disaster’.
Chris Dennis from London was one of those meant to be on board who was transferred to a coach.
He said: ‘We got to Heathrow around 3am and bed at 4am. I’m very tired today as had to be at work at 8.30am.
‘It’s a bit of a PR disaster considering it’s the first day of the flagship new route from Heathrow to Newquay.
‘I think they need more investment in the planes.
‘Flybe staff were good but I’m left wondering why an alternative plane did not come and get us.’
Some passengers who were meant to be on the cancelled flight missed a day of work and others were forced to spend money on extra accommodation
Another passenger, Gabrielle Lee, said: ‘So slow and grudging cust service at [Newquay], next plane with a seat 2.30pm tomorrow. Had to fight for you to pay for a cab to get me to overnight accommodation.
‘Staff seemed unprepared and unfamiliar with how to help.
‘Really poor. Do better.’
She added: ‘And by the way Flybe, knock on effect is I have to take a precious extra day’s holiday from work and rearrange a whole day of work.
‘Coach to Heathrow wouldn’t resolve problem – 3am arrival and still a £50 45 minute cab home.
‘No good for a day’s work.
‘Public transport home not an option.’
The new service replaces a link with London Gatwick and will operate four flights a day.
It is being officially launched on Monday, with the airport tweeting to say: ‘Today we’re celebrating our first flights between @HeathrowAirport and @Newquay-Airport taking off!’
Another passenger said she has missed a day of work in London because of the cancellation and has been been put on the next available flight, on Monday afternoon.
‘All a bit of a shambles as a customer experience’, she added.
In a statement, Cornwall Airport Newquay confirmed the flight was cancelled ‘due to an aircraft technical issue’.
‘This was the only London Heathrow flight affected and they are running to schedule today’, it added.
A Flybe spokesperson said: ‘Flybe can confirm that the above flight was cancelled due to a technical fault with the aircraft.
‘All passengers were re-accommodated on alternative transport to continue their journeys to Heathrow.
‘Flybe sincerely apologises for the inconvenience experienced however the safety of its passengers and crew are its number one priority at all times.’