BOURNEMOUTH Airport has apologised after two flights were delayed by more than three hours with passengers left “suffering” inside hot planes.

Several passengers on Ryanair flights from Bournemouth Airport on Wednesday, July 20, described scenes of anger inside planes as they were left “stuck” on the tarmac for hours with limited information coming through.

A man on Ryanair flight 5944 bound for Malaga said the plane was stationary from shortly before 12.50pm until 4pm. He said: “The captain told us that the airport is closed between 2-4pm. I thought this was strange.”

Following enquiries, a Bournemouth Airport spokesperson said: “Sickness among air traffic control and other staff at the airport necessitated some planned roster changes at the airport.

“As a result, we informed airlines on Monday that no departures from the airport could take place on Wednesday, July 20, between 2pm and 4pm. Schedules were checked and, where appropriate, changes made to ensure that flights would not depart during this period and passenger departures would not be affected.

Dorset Echo:

“Unfortunately, two aircraft arrived late and their revised departure times fell into this window, meaning these aircraft were unable to depart until 4pm. In both cases, passengers stayed on the aircraft, which remained alongside the terminal with doors open and were connected to power and air conditioning.

“Drinks and snacks were offered by airline staff. Unloading the passengers to the terminal and then re-boarding them to the aircraft would not have been practical in the timescales involved.

“We’d like to apologise for any inconvenience caused.”

However, others say drinks and snacks were not provided. Resident Sue Crane told the Echo her asthma suffering son was also stuck on the Malaga flight and that his life was “at risk” due to the heat. She also insisted her son had not been offered any water.

Ryanair has been approached to comment.