Thomson holidaymakers delayed for 38 hours
Thomson has apologised after holidaymakers were delayed for more than 38 hours due to a ‘technical issue’ on one of its aircraft.
Delays to the Thursday 6am flight from Aberdeen to Faro left 140 stranded at Aberdeen Airport and 114 in Portugal, according to reports.
The flight eventually took off from Aberdeen on Friday evening.
Passengers flying from Portugal were diverted to Manchester and then taken by coach to Aberdeen, arriving in the city at about 01:00 on Saturday.
Thomson said those affected were put up in hotels and were given vouchers and refreshments, but some passengers complained they were not kept properly informed.
A Thomson spokesman said: “We would like to apologise for the inconvenience caused to customers who travelled on flights FPO811 from Aberdeen to Faro and FPO812 from Faro to Aberdeen, which were unfortunately delayed as a result of a technical issue.
“We can confirm that customers on flight FP0812 arrived into Manchester at 1448 local time following a chartered Thomson flight where we arranged a coach service on to Aberdeen. Flight FP0811 arrived into Faro at 23:40 local time from Aberdeen.
"We provided affected customers with overnight accommodation and vouchers for refreshments. We also be providing letters to customers with EU flight delay claim information in line with the Civil Aviation Authority’s guidelines.
"We understand how frustrating a flight delay can be and we would like to thank affected passengers for their patience and understanding."
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026